On May 15, 2026, the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation hosted the inaugural TCAF Indy 500 Educational Event in Indianapolis, bringing together physicians, audiologists, and other leaders in the testicular cancer space for a unique day of education, networking, and unforgettable experiences surrounding Fast Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The day began with a private Educational Event and breakfast at the Gridiron Hall inside the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, the training facility for the Indianapolis Colts. With Denver Broncos linebacker, testicular cancer survivor, and Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation advocate Alex Singleton helping welcome guests, the setting offered a fitting touch of football irony. Thankfully, no divisional rivalries got in the way of the morning’s mission. Set on a beautifully maintained campus, the venue provided an impressive backdrop for the day’s opening program.

Sponsored by Fennec Pharmaceuticals, the TCAF Indy 500 Educational Event was designed to bring together medical professionals and advocates in a setting that encouraged both meaningful education and genuine connection outside the traditional conference environment. By welcoming experts from multiple disciplines, including oncology and audiology, the event created space for meaningful conversations and helped better understand some of the gaps that still exist in cancer care, particularly surrounding hearing health during and after treatment.

Singleton, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer during the most recent NFL season, shared remarks with attendees about the importance of awareness and early detection. Because his cancer was detected early, he was able to avoid chemotherapy altogether, an outcome that underscores the life-changing value of early detection and intervention. His perspective helped reinforce an important message: while early detection can help save lives, understanding treatment impact is equally important. As Alex shared in the Indy’s Nuts campaign, “life after cancer’s not just about being here. It’s about hearing it too.”

TCAF board member BJ Lange, a two-time testicular cancer survivor and retired United States Air Force medic, served as emcee and shared his own perspective on survivorship, including the lasting impact of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity (CIO). Attendees also viewed a moving patient story highlighting the very real consequences of hearing loss caused by cisplatin chemotherapy, reinforcing why long-term quality of life must remain part of the cancer care conversation.

Dr. Pierre Sayad, *Fennec Pharmaceuticals* & Dr. Brock O’Keefe, *IU Health*

The Educational Event focused on understanding treatment impact, including the unfortunate side effects that may come with cisplatin-based chemotherapies. Dr. Pierre Sayad, Chief Medical Officer of Fennec Pharmaceuticals, opened the program with a presentation titled Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity: Understanding the Burden and Unmet Need, exploring mechanisms of injury and strategies for protecting patients during treatment. He was followed by Brock O’Keefe, PharmD, BCPS, Senior Oncology Clinical Pharmacist at IU Health - IU Simon Cancer Center, who presented Reducing the Risk of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity, expanding the conversation around practical approaches to hearing preservation in cancer care.

Koral Shah, MD, Hematology/Oncology Chief Fellow (PGY-5) at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, then presented the study Randomized Trial of Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy With or Without Sodium Thiosulfate (PEDMARK®) for Men With Metastatic Germ Cell Tumor (Principal Investigator: Alex Chehrazi-Raffle, MD), bringing important clinical research into the discussion and highlighting ongoing efforts to better protect patients undergoing treatment.

Together, these presentations created a meaningful multidisciplinary discussion around survivorship, hearing preservation, treatment impact, and the long-term quality-of-life considerations that must remain part of modern cancer care conversations.

From Left to Right: Speakers Dr. Brock O’Keefe, Dr. Koral Shah, and Dr. Pierre Sayad

For the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation, opportunities like this are also a chance to highlight the programs and resources available to patients, survivors, and families navigating a diagnosis. Through education, awareness initiatives, survivorship programming, conferences, support groups, and financial assistance resources, TCAF remains committed to improving outcomes both during treatment and beyond.

Following the Educational Event and breakfast, guests were transported to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to experience Fast Friday ahead of the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. While a weather-related delay briefly interrupted the afternoon, guests made the most of the opportunity to connect, socialize, and enjoy one of motorsport’s most iconic venues.

Attendees had access to pit and garage areas, suite hospitality, and the opportunity to visit the Indy’s Nuts awareness activation, where volunteers engaged race fans in conversations about testicular cancer awareness, early detection, and hearing health during cancer care.

The Indy’s Nuts campaign reflects Fennec Pharmaceuticals & Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation’s commitment to meeting people where they are with approachable education that opens the door to important conversations about men’s health, survivorship, and early detection. By educating men on the importance of early detection and encouraging awareness around treatment-related side effects, these efforts help create meaningful conversations well beyond race day.

A special thank you to Fennec Pharmaceuticals for their partnership in helping bring this inaugural experience to life and for their continued commitment to education surrounding cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

The Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation looks forward to future opportunities to bring the medical community together in innovative ways that support education, collaboration, and improved outcomes for patients affected by testicular cancer.

Inside the Inaugural TCAF Indy 500 Educational Event