Above: Dr. Marston Linehan, Chief of the Urologic Oncology Branch of the National Cancer Institute, discusses recent advancements in kidney cancer with the KidneyCAN team in September.

We've been busy this fall! Advocacy, research, hope --there’s something for everyone in this edition of our newsletter. Read on!

Advocates meet with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) to discuss funding for the Kidney Cancer Research Program. A cancer survivor herself, Representative Wasserman Schultz was a compassionate and eager supporter of our asks.

In September, KidneyCAN returned to Washington D.C. for our Fall Advocacy Days to ensure that the kidney cancer community's voice is heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill. More than 200 in-person and virtual meetings were scheduled to discuss the need for robust funding of the Kidney Cancer Research Program.

In those meetings, we shared personal experiences and discussed critical issues facing the kidney cancer community to advocate for increased research funding.

While in D.C., we also met with researchers at the National Cancer Institute to learn about research in progress and what we can expect in the near future. We also attended a meeting at the White House with the Cancer Moonshot team to discuss federal support for cancer research.

A huge thank you to all of our incredible advocates who participated in our Fall Advocacy Days, both in person and virtually!

Big thanks to our partnering organizations, including Joey's Wings and VHL Alliance, for joining us in D.C. on Advocacy Days. This is a powerful team!

Ours asks included $60 million for the Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) and robust funding for the NIH and NCI.

Virtual participants from 36 states lifted their voices with us. Many of the advocates are KCRP researchers at top institutions!

Each year, ESMO hosts a conference where cutting-edge research across all cancer types is presented, including critical updates in kidney cancer.

The International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC), a global network of patient advocacy groups like KidneyCAN, reviews the kidney cancer research presented at ESMO and compiles key highlights.

This year’s updates include promising new treatments like belzutifan, a HIF-2α inhibitor, which showed improved outcomes for patients with advanced kidney cancer, and ongoing studies like the SUNNIFORECAST trial exploring better treatment options for non-clear cell kidney cancers.

Stay informed with the full ESMO highlights:

Our friend Tracy Miller and her sister Kristen participated in the Climb4KidneyCancer event this August, helping to raise over $50,000 for kidney cancer research! Did you know? You don’t have to climb a mountain to make a difference—there are so many ways to get involved in fundraising for kidney cancer. Whether it’s hosting a local event or finding your own creative approach, your efforts can help accelerate research and save lives. Visit our website to learn more about how you can join our grassroots army raising research funds.

The International Kidney Cancer Coalition (IKCC) is currently conducting a Global Patient Survey, seeking input from kidney cancer patients and caregivers to better understand the global kidney cancer experience.

This survey helps shape future advocacy, research, and support initiatives tailored to patient needs.

Your participation ensures that patient voices are heard and that future care reflects the real-life experiences of those impacted by kidney cancer. Share your insights and contribute to shaping the future of kidney cancer care by participating in the survey:

This month’s Community Spotlight shines on Louis Boyang, a passionate advocate, researcher, and artist. After losing his close friend Joey to pediatric kidney cancer, Louis became involved in advocacy work through Joey’s Wings Foundation and KidneyCAN.

Now a Biology major on the pre-med track at Brown University, Louis continues to fight for increased kidney cancer research funding and hopes to become a pediatric oncologist.

Learn more about Louis’s incredible journey, his dedication to advocacy, and how his art supports kidney cancer research by reading the full article on our website. His story is a powerful reminder of how individual passion can drive progress in the fight against cancer.

Support Our Work in Style:

All New KidneyCAN Merch

Support KidneyCAN, and look great doing it! We have a fantastic range of merchandise available through our Bonfire shop, including t-shirts, hoodies, and long-sleeve tees.

Choose from designs featuring the KidneyCAN logo or the Rock the Run 5k logo. Every purchase helps fund our vital work in kidney cancer research and advocacy.

Get your gear today, and wear it proudly!

Are you following KidneyCAN online? Tag @KidneyCAN

in your #kidneycancer posts!

Looking for more research updates?

You can read the #KCRS24 research abstracts in The Oncologist's abstract supplement, which includes presentations accepted for the 2024 Kidney Cancer Research Summit.

Our mission is to accelerate cures for kidney cancer. We engage in patient advocacy and power research by supporting government and industry research funding and facilitating research collaborations. Much of our work is funded by grassroots donors from all over the United States. We can't do this without your support.

KidneyCAN is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and does not receive any funding through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) or KCRP (Kidney Cancer Research Program). KidneyCAN's work is funded entirely through donations and contributions.