As we reach the midpoint of 2026, we're pausing to reflect on a season full of meaningful moments in our ongoing fight against rare cancers. From community 5Ks to the halls of Capitol Hill, the Laughlin Family Foundation has been proud to stand alongside patients, survivors, researchers, and advocates who share our commitment to improving outcomes for individuals facing gynecologic and other rare cancers. Here's a look at what we've been up to over the past several months!

The Laughlin Family Foundation Booth at Stride & Thrive 5k

Celebrating a Decade of Hope at John Hopkins Stride & Thrive 5K

In June, we were honored to participate in Johns Hopkins Medicine's Stride & Thrive 5K at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. This year's race marked a special milestone: 10 years of hope and progress in the fight against gynecologic cancers. It was inspiring to walk and run alongside so many survivors, families, and supporters who embody the spirit of this event, and we're grateful to Johns Hopkins Medicine for a decade of leadership in this space.

Honoring Survivors on National Cancer Survivors Day

W joined Maryland Oncology Hematology in recognizing National Cancer Survivors Day. This day is a powerful opportunity to celebrate the strength, resilience, and inspiring journeys of survivors, while also honoring the caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals who support them every step of the way. Moments like these remind us why our work matters and why community support is so essential to the cancer journey.

Connecting with Researchers at the ASCO Annual Meeting

This year, we attended the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, one of the most important gatherings in the oncology world. It was a highlight of our summer to meet in person with our grant recipient, Dr. Jennifer Ge, MD, PhD, and learn more about the promising research being made possible through our philanthropic support. Seeing firsthand how funding translates into real scientific progress is exactly why we do what we do.

Courtney and Linda Laughlin with grant recipient, Dr. Jennifer Ge, MD, PhD, at the ASCO Annual Meeting

Advocating on Capitol Hill for Endometrial Cancer Research

Courtney and Linda of the Laughlin Family Foundation for Rare Cancers also participated in the Society of Gynecologic Oncology's (SGO) Annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. Joining physicians, researchers, and advocates from across the gynecologic cancer community, they spent the day on Capitol Hill meeting with Representative Kweisi Mfume, Representative Steny Hoyer, and Representative Bill Keating to advocate for increased research funding and policies that improve outcomes for individuals facing endometrial cancer.

This visit marked an important opportunity to ensure that policymakers heard directly from the patients, families, and advocates affected by an endometrial cancer diagnosis. Advocacy like this is a critical piece of driving lasting change, and we're grateful for the chance to bring these voices to our nation's capital.

Courtney and Linda Laughlin, along with fellow advocates, on Capital Hill in Washington, D.C.

2026 Cancer Nation Summit in Washington D.C.

We attended the 2026 Cancer Nation Summit in Washington D.C., where advocates from across the country come together to connect, strengthen their voices, and help shape the future of cancer care. During the Summit, we joined fellow advocates on Capitol Hill to share their story and push for policies that improve cancer care, while also engaging with sessions on survivorship legislation, supportive care, and patient-provider communication. We also had the opportunity to connect with medical students, helping bridge the gap between lived experience and clinical education.

Lexi, Linda and Courtney Laughlin attending the Cancer Nation Summit in Washington D.C.

The Annual Tony Johnson Memorial Hockey Tournament

The Laughlin Family Foundation participated in the annual Tony Johnson Memorial Hockey Tournament sponsored by Old Fat Bald Guys Hockey.

We were honored to be the beneficiary of the tournament, which successfully raised over $26,000, which was their most successful tournament in their 20 year history. Both Craig and Courtney Laughlin had a great time playing on The Laughlin Family Foundation Purple Team, despite finishing in 4th place.

We are so grateful for the support of the OFBG’s and their community of sponsors, volunteers, families, and players. And of course a special shout out to Tommy George, and Murph for putting on an exceptional tournament. Thanks again for supporting rare cancers and we can’t wait to see you again next summer!

The Laughlin Family Foundation being presented with the $26,000 raised at the annual tournament in Frederick, Maryland.

Looking Ahead at What’s Next

It has been a busy year of advancing awareness, supporting patients and families, and bringing our community together in the fight against rare cancers.

As we look ahead, we're excited to close out the summer with our annual Swing for a Cure Celebrity Golf Tournament at the end of August. We look forward to seeing many of you on the course as we continue this fight together.

From celebrating survivors to sitting down with lawmakers, this has been a season of showing up for the research, and for every family navigating a rare cancer diagnosis. We're grateful for the partners, advocates, and supporters who make this work possible, and we look forward to sharing more updates as we continue this fight together.

To learn more about the Laughlin Family Foundation's mission or to work with us, please reach out to Courtney Laughlin at courtney@thelaughlinfoundation.org.