DetecTogether Unites the Community to Save Lives
[Link to: Photos; Event/Mike Fagan Video; Caitlin Video]
DetecTogether’s Gala, Auction, and Golf Tournament in June was a lively party and golf tournament with a significant purpose. Donors and supporters came together in the transformed coastal-cowboy-themed Bancroft School fieldhouse in Worcester and for a beautiful day on the links at Worcester and The Haven Country Clubs in Massachusetts to champion the life-saving power of early cancer detection.
Attendees generously raised their bid cards and $1.2 million for DetecTogether’s cause, the only nonprofit teaching people how to recognize the early warning signs of cancer and use that information to save their own lives. Guests kicked up their heels with a Zac Brown and Jimmy Buffett tribute band and engaged in spirited bidding on exclusive trips, such as cruising the Seine and Dancing with the Stars experiences, all in support of DetecTogether’s critical mission. The enthusiastic participation in the auction demonstrated the guests’ commitment to the cause, ensuring that more people can benefit from early cancer detection education.
15-Year Impact on Cancer Survivors and Our Nation’s Heros
This year’s event was exceptional as it marked DetecTogether’s 15th Anniversary of saving lives and honoring the remarkable stories of cancer survivors who are here today as a result of DetecTogether’s mission.
The emotional remarks from cancer survivors brought the impact of DetecTogether’s mission to life for the audience. Guests heard the heart-wrenching implications from individuals like Nick Sprague, a Firefighter and Critical Care Paramedic with stage 4a colon cancer, who found DetecTogether’s 3 Steps Detect program too late. Nick shared, “3 Steps Detect would have absolutely helped me recognize the symptoms earlier. I learned about 3 Steps Detect too late,” highlighting the urgent need for awareness of cancer symptoms and early detection.
“3 Steps Detect would have absolutely helped me recognize the symptoms earlier. I learned about 3 Steps Detect too late.”
nickolaus sprague
Firefighters face a 47% risk of getting cancer compared to the general population’s 40% risk and are 14% more likely to die from cancer1,2. Firefighters expressed their gratitude for DetecTogether’s trainings, which are helping them detect health issues earlier and return to the job they love. DetecTogether’s early cancer detection program reduces cancer deaths in the fire service and is free to firefighters because of donor funding.
DetecTogether’s innovative 3 Steps Detect program has led 1 in 4 participants to detect health issues earlier, significantly improving outcomes and motivating donations and attendees to give3. The program is saving lives in each of the 50 United States, made possible by the generosity of donors.
Caitlin Whitney, who shared her story with guests, was diagnosed with a very aggressive breast cancer at 29 and is thankful to have caught her cancer in stage 1. She told Gala and Auction guests that without DetecTogether, she would not have recognized her cancer symptoms, “Without 3 Steps Detect, I would have done nothing. I would not be here today.” Caitlin is now ten years cancer-free.
“Without 3 Steps Detect, I would have done nothing. I would not be here today.”
Caitlin Whitney
Early Cancer Detection Champions
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of all our guests working with us to save lives,” said Tricia Laursen, President and Executive Director at DetecTogether. “The support and passion for saving lives with the power of early cancer detection is truly inspiring, and we are deeply moved by the impactful stories of our survivors.”
This work would not be possible without the outstanding contributions of sponsors such as CMP Advanced Mechanical Solutions, Powertech Controls, 1A Auto, and Subaru of New England. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, participants, donors, and volunteers, over one million dollars was raised for DetecTogether programs.
About DetecTogether
DetecTogether saves lives by teaching people how to recognize the early warning signs of cancer and how to activate healthcare to detect cancer when it’s most survivable. Their 3 Steps Detect program has caused early action among individuals nationwide, significantly improving early detection rates and saving lives.
For more information, visit DetecTogether.org.
References
1 Cancer Statistics – National Cancer Institute. 2 Apr. 2015, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics.
2 Firefighter Cancer Rates: The Facts from NIOSH Research | Blogs | CDC. 10 May 2017, https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2017/05/10/ff-cancer-facts/.
3 DetecTogether 2023 Impact Survey Study Report.
