With 44,000 attendees gathering in Chicago, the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting proved to be far more than just a conference—it was a powerful week defined by purpose, connection, and groundbreaking scientific advancements.
Mike and Megan Scherer attended as patient advocates, fully immersed in thought-provoking conversations regarding fertility and survivorship. Worth the Wait’s goal remains steadfast: to ensure adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer have all the options on the table when it comes to living a full and meaningful life after treatment.
Being in the room with nonprofit peers, researchers, and industry partners gave us the platform to ensure the AYA voice is heard. A few moments from the week particularly stand out:
- Bridging the Gap: It was incredible to witness an advocate connect directly with the company that manufactures her life-saving medication. This kind of collaboration is why we do what we do.
- The Power of Progress: We spent the week learning about groundbreaking scientific research that brings new hope to the cancer community.
- A Personal Full-Circle Moment: One of the most special moments of the week was seeing Dr. Paul Monk, Mike’s former oncologist. It was a profound reminder of the dedicated clinicians who walk alongside patients.
Thank you to everyone who had open ears and open minds to hearing what is truly important for adolescent and young adult (AYAs) cancer patients in survivorship.