Background
Students Together Against Cancer was founded in July of 2012 by Jeremy Payne. In seventh grade, Jeremy was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was forced to miss most of the school year while undergoing treatment. Jeremy beat the disease, but he realized cancer’s impact reaches far beyond a person’s health.
According to a 2009 survey conducted by the Association of Oncology Social Work, 55 percent of cancer patients stated that “the stress of dealing with costs negatively affects their ability to focus on their recovery.” In many cases, patients are forced to choose between receiving treatment and paying utility bills. Jeremy wanted to find a way to alleviate additional stressors for cancer patients and their families so that they may focus solely on beating the disease.
STAC is the end-product of Jeremy’s vision. What began as a club operating out of a dorm room at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln blossomed into a 501(c)(3) non-profit with branches on three college campuses and several high schools. While organizations often fundraise for a cure, STAC’s goal is to help treat the existing problem. Our mission statement is below: