Celebrating a Milestone: Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation’s 10th Testicular Cancer Conference

The Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation (TCAF) proudly hosted its 10th Testicular Cancer Conference on September 25 & 26, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School. Presented by Fennec Pharmaceuticals, this milestone event marked a powerful collaboration with Mass General Brigham, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard University and was our largest conference to date. This year’s event was an incredible and truly awe-inspiring experience, bringing together 102 attendees, including 39 testicular cancer survivors, along with caregivers and leading medical professionals. A hallmark of this year’s conference was its interactive sessions with medical experts, designed to foster engagement and connection among attendees. Everyone’s participation played a tremendous role in making the weekend so meaningful.

A Night to Remember: The Dinner Social

The weekend began on Thursday, September 25, with a lively Dinner Social at the Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge, where attendees shared food, laughter, and inspiration. One particularly heartwarming moment occurred when a group of survivors who had supported one another digitally for years finally met in person for the first time. The energy, connection, and genuine camaraderie in the room set the tone for the meaningful weekend ahead.

Adding to the excitement, It Takes Balls podcast host and Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation Board Member, Steven Crocker, recorded clips and conversations throughout the evening, which were featured in the show’s milestone 100th episode, sharing the energy and voices of the night with listeners everywhere.

A Day of Learning, Connection, and Hope

The conference officially opened Friday morning at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School, with BJ Lange serving as Emcee. A two-time testicular cancer survivor, BJ is also a Hollywood actor, retired USAF medic, Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation Board Member, and instructor at The Second City. His humor, authenticity, and heartfelt personal connection to the cause brought warmth and unity to the day.

Leading the event was Dr. Timothy Clinton of Mass General Brigham and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who served as Lead Chair. His dedication to advancing testicular cancer care continues to drive innovation in both clinical practice and survivorship support. We’re so proud of what we accomplished together and the meaningful work being done to support patients, survivors, and caregivers while advancing knowledge of the most innovative testing and treatments that enhance quality of life beyond cancer.

Distinguished Speakers and Thought Leaders

The conference featured an exceptional lineup of experts who shared insights across a wide range of topics - including our Honorary Speaker, Dr. Darren Feldman, a genitourinary medical oncologist from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Advances in post-treatment quality of life were discussed by Dr. Richard Matulewicz, also from Memorial Sloan Kettering, while Dr. Pierre Sayad, Chief Medical Officer at Fennec Pharmaceuticals, addressed ototoxicity and its long-term impact on survivors.

The care of younger patients was highlighted by Dr. Lindsay Frazier of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, a pediatric oncologist and professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Frazier is the founder and director of the Malignant Germ Cell Tumors International Consortium (MaGIC), a global collaboration focused on improving the understanding and treatment of malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) in adolescents and young adults.

In the world of cancer research, collaboration is often the key to discovery, and MaGIC has proven this many times over. Under Dr. Frazier’s leadership, experts from around the world have joined forces to transform how malignant germ cell tumors are studied and treated. Their work has led to major advances in molecular research, clinical outcomes, and the development of new treatment strategies that bring hope to patients everywhere.

Dr. Stephanie Berg shared expertise on survivorship for adult patients, and Anthony Spina, a survivor and Family Nurse Practitioner, delivered a moving testimonial about his own survivorship experience.

Mental health and wellness were emphasized by Dr. Lydia Chevalier and Dr. Christopher Recklitis, both clinical psychologists from Dana-Farber, who discussed coping with insomnia, anxiety, and psychosocial challenges. Dr. Martin Kathrins of Mass General Brigham spoke on men’s health, fertility, and testosterone, and Keith Hanigan from Natera presented on personalized cancer management using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).

The day also included moving talks from testicular cancer survivors. Dr. T. Clark Gamblin, a two-time testicular cancer survivor and inaugural Chief of Surgical Oncology at Huntsman Cancer Institute, shared his story of resilience and his incredible achievement completing the World Marathon Challenge. Jesse Solomon, a two-time survivor and cast member of the reality TV show Summer House, reminded attendees of the power of community and perseverance.

Interactive Sessions: Learning, Sharing, and Connection

In addition to our featured presenters, we were honored to welcome a distinguished panel for our Expert Q&A session. The panel included Dr. Keyan Salari, Dr. Charles Peyton, Dr. Michael Glover, Dr. Peter Reisz, Dr. Todd Yezefski, and TCAF Board Member Sean Q. Kern, MD.

Attendees participated in a series of small-group breakout sessions that began with in-depth Q&A discussions featuring the main presenters and additional physicians, including Dr. Timothy Clinton, Dr. Khalid Alkhatib, Dr. Alok Tewari, and Dr. John Norton. Many shared how much they appreciated the honesty, compassion, and depth of these conversations, and how encouraged they felt by the commitment of experts who continue to prioritize life during and after treatment.

The sessions continued with focused, interactive experiences designed for specific groups. Survivors Unite, led by LTC Sean Kern, MD, and BJ Lange, allowed survivors to share experiences and support one another, while Caregivers Unite, led by Dr. Timothy Clinton, provided loved ones with tools, strategies, and community.

These interactive opportunities highlighted the conference’s commitment not only to sharing knowledge but also to building relationships and fostering an ongoing support network.

Honoring Survivors, Inspiring the Future

This 10th anniversary conference was a celebration of courage, community, and collaboration. Every survivor story shared, every conversation sparked, and every new connection made strengthened our collective fight against testicular cancer.

We were honored to welcome doctors from all sessions, including featured presenters, the Expert Q&A Panel, and the Docs Q&A Sessions. It was incredible to have such a powerhouse of leading medical institutions represented in one room. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Rush University Medical Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania, University of Alabama Birmingham, University of Washington, Mass General Brigham, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard University all worked alongside survivors and patients to improve quality of life for those affected by testicular cancer.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our team and conference committee: Dr. Timothy Clinton, Dr. Khalid Alkhatib, Dr. Richard Matulewicz, Dr. Phillip Pierorazio, Steven Crocker, BJ Lange, Kim Jones, Shea Roberts and Kristi Joyce/Smith.

We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors, whose support made this milestone event possible.

Title Sponsor: Fennec Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to reducing the risk of ototoxicity - hearing loss caused by chemotherapy - in patients with solid tumors treated with cisplatin, a highly effective but potentially damaging chemotherapy commonly used to treat testicular cancer.

By minimizing this risk, Fennec is helping patients maintain their independence, dignity, and sense of normalcy during an incredibly challenging time. Preserving hearing isn’t just a medical goal—it’s a deeply human one.

Hearing shapes how we connect, communicate, and experience the world. For those facing testicular cancer, hearing loss can lead to long-term effects on relationships, work, mental health, and overall well-being. It’s a powerful reminder that survivorship is not just about quantity of life, but quality of life.

Diamond Sponsor: Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing, providing personalized molecular residual disease (MRD) testing to help monitor for cancer recurrence and treatment response. Their oncology solutions empower patients and care teams with timely, actionable information to support confident decision-making.

Gold Sponsor: Mass General Brigham is a leading integrated academic health system, known for its world-class patient care, cutting-edge research, and commitment to medical education.

Silver Sponsor: Michael and Elizabeth Thompson, honoring Thomas Edwards, III, MD; Jason Burnette, MD, PhD; Josh Simmons, MD, FACP; and the Archbold Medical Center team, where their son, Will Thompson, has received and continues to receive exceptional care.

Bronze Sponsors:

• Oddballs Funguy offers organic energy balls infused with lion’s mane and cordyceps mushrooms, designed for thrivers who are determined to boost performance and live with purpose. Founded by a testicular cancer survivor, the company is committed to raising awareness about the “odd” balls, bumps, or lumps that could indicate something more serious. Through their One Ball Initiative, they give back to nonprofits supporting young adults impacted by cancer.

• Flagstone Foods & Emerald Nuts: Flagstone Foods, one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of private label snack nuts and trail mixes in North America, recently acquired Emerald Nuts. Their snacks not only taste great, but are curated with the finest ingredients from around the world, helping attendees feel energized and nourished throughout the conference.

We also extend special thanks to our collaborating institutions: Mass General Brigham, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard University, whose partnership made the conference a success.

Finally, a special thank-you to Kim Jones’s son, Jordan Jones, whose legacy lives on through the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation, continuing to make a difference for those affected and saving lives.

Together, we are building a future where awareness saves lives, research drives hope, and no man faces testicular cancer alone.