13-02-2025
Student-led nonprofit aims to build community for people affected by cancer
Shreya Vemulapalli, a junior at The Harker School, founded nonprofit Cancel. Cancer. Culture. in 2023 to shed light on the stigma around cancer and foster open conversations.
Through CCC, Vemulapalli strives to challenge how cancer is viewed after she lost her father to cancer.
'Going through that secondhand experience and being exposed to cancer for a large percentage of my life, it really taught me how cancer is viewed in society,' Vemulapalli said.
One main topic Vemulapalli seeks to tackle is the limited narrative that often surrounds the disease.
'I think it's kind of a survivorship story where cancer is portrayed as this really huge battle,' Vemulapalli said.
While many people hear about cancer survivor stories, the reality for many people like her father, is that not everyone beats cancer.
'I think that's a great story to tell, but I think that it's not the complete one,' she said.
The stories of people who lost their lives to cancer deserve to be shared and can comfort others going through the same experience, Vemulapalli said. Having a community aids the journey through cancer.
A central focus of CCC is to cultivate this community and make it accessible for those experiencing cancer. Vemulapalli said the experience can be very isolating for patients and their loved ones.
'Finding a community and people who have also gone through it … can kind of shift your mindset,' Vemulapalli said.
Through CCC, Vemulapalli has received messages from individuals who have faced cancer either directly or from a secondhand perspective, further underscoring the widespread need for connection.
Taking the first step in founding CCC was the hardest for Vemulapalli, she said.
'Vocalizing that story was definitely the biggest step,' she said.
Reflecting on her hesitations, Vemulapalli recalled how she kept her story private, in fear that it made her different. However, she said she now recognizes the importance in sharing her experience and encourages others to do the same.
'Having those hard conversations can open the doors for so many other people,' Vemulapalli said.
Looking ahead, Vemulapalli envisions CCC expanding its impact through the release of an anthology, which will feature stories from cancer patients and survivors, offering diverse perspectives on the disease. CCC plans to host and attend both speaker and fundraising events to continue building its community and reach.
'We're still working on writing [the anthology] and publishing it, but that's one of the biggest projects that's hopefully going to come out soon,' Vemulapalli said.
Ultimately, through CCC, Vemulapalli works to redefine the way cancer is perceived. By pushing beyond the traditional narratives of survival, Vemulapalli hopes to open the door for more inclusive and compassionate conversations about the disease, its impact, and the people it touches.
Vemulapalli and CCC move to inspire people of all ages. As a teenager, Vemulapalli works to show that anyone can accomplish their ambitions if they have the will to do it.
While not everyone may be able to relate to CCC, Vemulapalli's mission and service is one that hopes to inspire people of all backgrounds, ages, and experiences. She works to demonstrate how one can overcome instead of being overcome in the face of grief and pain.
