We Are Changing How We Fight

Imagine This

The sterile smell of a hospital fades, replaced with roasting meat, wood smoke, and the warm scent of freshly baked bread. The beeping of monitors and quiet footsteps blur into the crackle of a fire, a lute playing, and roaring laughter. The uncomfortable hospital bed disappears into shadows that flicker on a tavern wall. Harsh lights dim. A fire roars in the hearth.

A bard strums nearby. And at a long table, adventurers raise their steins and cheer for you, the newest patron of The Calmfire Inn.

This is what we’re about to do.

The Next Chapter

The Battle: Cancer Project began with one goal: to make sure no one faces their cancer journey alone. We rallied volunteers, formed parties, and marched into the unknown with support as our strongest class.

But like any good campaign, the map shifts. The quest evolves. The enemies change, and sometimes the party needs a long rest.

So we’re evolving, too.

It’s One Big Raid

We’ve learned something big: the best support doesn’t always come top-down. It’s peer-driven. It’s story-focused. It’s rooted in shared experience and powered by presence.

So we’re moving away from traditional support group models. Instead, we’re building something more sustainable, more empowering, and way more epic.

We're building a community where compassion literally rolls for initiative. Stick with us. We are back on June 30th.

How You Can Stay Up to Date:

• Sign up for our newsletter

• Join the Calmfire Inn on Discord

• Bookmark this post - we'll be updating it.

Thank You

To everyone who is here so far - thank you. You have helped build something beautiful. It's time for us to become something legendary. We'll see you at the inn.

Shields High!

The Battle: Cancer Project Team

May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know? Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with over 5 million cases diagnosed each year. Melanoma, the deadliest form, is expected to account for approximately 104,960 new cases and about 8,430 deaths in 2025. ​

But here's the good news: Skin cancer is largely preventable, and early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.

Why Awareness is Important:

• Prevalence: 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. ​

• Melanoma Risks: Just five sunburns in your lifetime can double your risk of developing melanoma. ​

• Early Detection Saves Lives: When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is about 99%.

Sun Safety Tips

Protecting your skin doesn't mean avoiding the sun entirely. It means being smart about exposure:

• Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Apply SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days, and reapply every two hours.​

• Wear Protective Clothing: Long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses can shield your skin.​

• Seek Shade: Especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.​

• Avoid Tanning Beds: They emit harmful UV radiation that increases skin cancer risk. ​

The ABCs of Melanoma

Regular self-exams can help detect skin cancer early. Look for:

• Asymmetry: One half doesn't match the other.

• Border: Edges are irregular or blurred.​

• Color: Varied shades of brown, black, or other colors.​

• Diameter: Larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).​

• Evolving: Changes in size, shape, or color.​

If you notice any of these, consult a dermatologist promptly.

Awareness is the first step toward prevention. Together, we can help reduce the impact of skin cancer and save some lives. So, get out there and check yourself.

The Battle: Cancer Project Statement on HHS Layoffs and the Impact on Cancer Research

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced a sweeping restructuring that included the elimination of approximately 10,000 positions. (source) That's nearly a quarter of its workforce. Among the hardest-hit agencies is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which stands to lose about 1,200 employees. The NIH is a cornerstone of cancer research funding in the U.S., and this reduction is expected to have a ripple effect across ongoing research and new treatments. 

According to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the layoffs are intended to address what he calls a "sprawling bureaucracy" within the department. (source) His plan aims to consolidate the HHS's 28 divisions into 15 units, and he claims the department will "do more with less." Critics and experts say these cuts can stall medical progress and research. 

These layoffs directly threaten the pace and the quality of cancer research. The NIH has played a pivotal role in supporting studies that lead to life-saving treatments and therapies. With a reduced staff, the agency's ability to fund, oversee, and advance cancer research will be compromised. This will delay breakthroughs, slow clinical trials, and limit access to therapies.

This doesn't just affect people in treatment now, but the next generation of cancer fighters. 

We here at The Battle: Cancer Project are appalled at the HHS and NIH layoffs. We are going to double down on our mission that no one fights cancer alone.

In light of these changes, we are going to: 

1. Advocate Fiercely! We want to see a continued investment in cancer research and amplify the voices of patients, researchers, and doctors alike. 

2. Collaborate! We are going to begin an outreach program to collaborate with like-minded organizations to create a supportive safety net while cancer research and clinical trials face their own battle. 

3. Educate! We are going to do more to educate the public about the very real consequences of defunding science and research. This goes double for vulnerable populations such as low-income patients, rural communities, and those without healthcare access. 

   
   

Make no mistake, this is not a policy shift. It is a battlefront. We are standing with the fighters, survivors, researchers, and doctors. We will not back down. We will fight with you. 

Shields high. 

The Battle: Cancer Project Team 

For more information, please see: 

• CancerResearch.org

• FightCancer.org

• Endocrine.org