About

The Beginnings of Cancer T-Shirts

On a trip to Costa Rica, my mom noticed she had a little more belly fat than normal. My dad went on a diet with her, but she continued gaining weight at a massive rate while he lost his. The doctor then diagnosed her with stage three, almost stage four, ovarian cancer.

After surgery my mom was placed in a teal painted room, my dad told me that teal was the color for Ovarian Cancer. It wasn’t just Breast Cancer with a corresponding color. I went on to realize that every cancer had a color, and I wanted to find a way that you could see who had been affected by what.

Through two clubs at school, I was able to utilize a workforce of students to help me not only buy the shirts but also sell them to other students. This project took off and, in the first year, we sold a total of 750 shirts throughout the community. The next year we started with eight high schools and ended my senior year with twenty schools and over 3,000 shirts sold.

I headed to college the following year, and my mom passed away that December 2nd. After her death, I stopped selling Cancer T-Shirts because I felt that my part in fighting this disease lasted only as long as hers did. However, following the death of my grandfather and aunt to cancer in 2010 and 2011 respectively, I realized that cancer would not leave me alone, so I shouldn’t leave it alone!

Cancer T Shirts does a lot, but the two most apparent benefits would be the awareness these shirts bring and, of course, the funds raised. All the money that doesn’t pay for operating expenses (shipping, website domain fees, shirt costs etc.) will and has been donated to various organizations that seek to rid the world of cancer. If schools sell the shirts as a fundraiser, we give them the option to choose where the proceeds go, but it has to be to an organization seeks to rid the world of all cancers.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. It has been very therapeutic to have this outlet and realize that this world really does care about one another. I am indebted to those people who have selflessly helped me through everything I have been through, and could not have done it without them. Words cannot express the sincere thanks I have for the people who continue to support me, much like my mother did while she was still here.

I hope this can become an outlet for you as well. Everyone has been affected by cancer, and until now there were few ways to really express how one had been affected. So, while my story is unique, so is yours, and now you may immediately be able to identify yourself with someone else simply by the color of their shirt.

That is my story, and it has led me to a lot of incredible opportunities in my life, but for the most part my job is done. The next chapter is being written by Jillian Domingue and she is sharing her story next. After you find what color you support, be sure to share your story. We want to hear how you have been affected and we want everyone to know what we know, and that is, every cancer has a color, every color has a story.

-Preston Nix

How Cancer T-Shirts became ColorCancer

I met Preston Nix through a friend and was immediately attached to his cause. I knew I wanted to carry his ideas forward.

During my senior year of highschool, one of my teammates was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. I had been volunteering on the inpatient and outpatient cancer floors of Texas Children’s Hospital that whole year, and just happened to be on the inpatient floor the exact moment Gabby was admitted. Throughout my volunteering I had seen many children fighting cancer, but when Gabby was diagnosed it hit home. How could this be? We had been on the softball field a few days ago with no signs of any illness. I didn’t know what to do, but I had to do something. I immediately went to the Ronald McDonnald family room computer and designed and ordered 100+ t-shirts. Bright pink with Team Gabby on the front and Stay Strong on the back. It took off. No longer was Gabby alone in this fight. Her whole community got involved. It was one of the most touching things I have ever seen. Gabby passed away that following October, but her spirit has stayed alive through the help of “Team Gabby.” I take no responsibility in creating Team Gabby, Gabby created “Team Gabby” by being an amazingly strong and courageous girl. I simply provided a means for the love that everyone had for her to be visible to all.

Gabby and her Parents

I am so grateful that Preston and I happened to run into each other, and that we are now able to combine both of our ideas into one. We’re all in this fight together.

-Jillian Domingue