Team Joel Stern

More than three years ago, my world came to a halt when I was given the Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma diagnosis. Now into my fourth year with this disease, I have adapted to being told I had a terminal disease and have made more memories than I can count. I’m not going to rehash all I have gone through and learned since I have documented my Journey in a book and in several posts. However, I do want to share with you that I would not be here but for recent and significant advancements in kidney cancer research that have been made thanks to generous donations to kidney cancer associations including the Kidney Cancer Association. Ten years ago, my five year survival rate was between eight and thirteen percent. Today, studies show that with the treatments I am on, my five year survival rate is anywhere between forty and fifty percent. More importantly, the survival rates are expected to continue to increase as new kidney cancer research grants are given and new treatments are approved by the FDA.

Once a year I make the plea for friends and colleagues of mine to make a donation to the Kidney Cancer Association to fuel further advances in treating kidney cancer and providing critical education to both patients and caregivers. This year, the KCA has agreed to funnel donations made to Team Stern to fund patient and caregiver education in 2024. It is this education that helps patients diagnosed with kidney cancer make smarter and life-saving decisions once diagnosed. I can’t think of a better way to use these funds while other donations are used to fund research grants.

Please consider making a donation to my now favorite charity.

Thank you,

Joel