13thirty Cancer Connect

09/16/2026

09/11/2026

✨ TICKET SALES EXTENDED! ✨ YES — you can still join us at Journeys, the 25th Annual Celebration of Living!💙

If you’ve been waiting for your sign… this is it! Seats are limited! 🎟️ Get your tickets ASAP and come be part of this special evening!

https://givebutter.com/journeys-2026

09/10/2026

It was an unintentional Girls Night for our Restore: Hands-on Self-care program yesterday!👩🏻‍🤝‍👩🏽

Led by local woman-owned small business owner, Mona of Mona Moon Naturals, our members learned about skin care basics, ways to check products for harmful ingredients, and the importance of taking the time for intentional self-care every day.

We even got to make our own sugar scrubs customized with different oils to create a simple reminder to slow down and show ourselves some love.
🧖‍♀️💖

09/10/2026

✨Lesson #15: Knowing she would not survive, Melissa began hoping - and planning - for different things.

She took a glorious vacation with her family to the Grand Canyon, rode a hot air balloon over the Arizona desert, planted an herb garden, crocheted an afghan and took a pottery class at the local art gallery, all while writing profound poetry and prose in her journal. She said goodbye to her friends and family. She made plans for her death and burial, donating her body for medical study.

In the three months until she died, Melissa never stopped living – a “joyous, turn your head to the sky and shout” kind of living.🦋💙

09/08/2026

⭐️ JUST 3 DAYS LEFT TO GET YOUR TICKETS! ⭐️

We’re counting down to Journeys, the 25th Annual Celebration of Living on Saturday, October 10th at the RIT Inn & Conference Center! 🌠

This is a celebration 25 years in the making — honoring the incredible impact of 13thirty Cancer Connect and celebrating the legacy and retirement of our Founder and Executive Director, Lauren Spiker. 🦋

Don’t miss this very special night!
🎟️ Purchase your tickets by Thursday, September 10th:
https://givebutter.com/journeys-2026

09/03/2026

Lesson #14: “See me in the unbeautiful things too.”✨

09/02/2026

🗣️HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS!

EXCITING NEWS! We're launching the AYA CARE Network (Centralized, Accessible, Relevant, Empowering)!

This innovative online directory of multi-sector providers in the Greater Rochester area educated on the unique needs of AYAs will change the way care is provided to this age group - and we'd like you to be part of it!

Even if you do not currently support AYAs with cancer, you may in the future. Please join us for 🚨FREE pre-enrollment training with 🚨FREE CEUs for licensed social workers - you'll gain new insights, become a provider of choice, and help AYAs thrive!

RSVP for September or November training dates:
https://givebutter.com/aya-care-network-13thirty

08/27/2026

✨Check out part 2 of Lauren’s last video! Melissa knew the garden was the perfect place for her—and a place where Lauren and Doug would continue to find purpose, beauty, and peace.🦋

08/27/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Lauren Spiker, our Founder and Executive Director, will receive this year's Make a Difference Award at Journeys!🦋

What began as a promise to her daughter, Melissa, became the foundation for a community that has touched countless lives. For 25 years, Lauren’s visionary leadership and steadfast commitment have propelled 13thirty Cancer Connect into a nationally recognized leader in the AYA cancer field and a pioneer in shaping the future of support for young people impacted by cancer.💙

Join us at Journeys, the 25th Annual Celebration of Living to celebrate Lauren's legacy and retirement on Saturday, October 10th!🌠

🎟️ https://givebutter.com/journeys-2026

08/26/2026

A few more moments from our Seoul Food program with Chef RJ! 🍜✨ Good food, great company, and plenty of laughs made for another night of connection at 13thirty.💙 Check out our September programs - link in bio!