Who We Are
A Nonprofit Built for Community
Time to Compete is a community-driven nonprofit created to support young adults during and after cancer treatment. We partner with hospitals and supporters to step in where traditional care and insurance often fall short — providing essentials like gift cards, transportation help, care kits, and peer connections.
At its core, Time to Compete is more than a program — it’s a movement built on perseverance, vulnerability, and unity. We are a place where young adults can find others who understand, share stories, and where no one has to walk the path alone.
We partner with young athletes to inspire and create connections for young adults facing cancer. Our athletic partners compete for our patients, driving donations, raising awareness, and spreading our message nationwide.
Because when you want to go fast, you travel alone. But when you want to go far, you travel together.
PERSEVERANCE. VULNERABILITY. UNITY.
The Problem
Young adults with cancer often fall into a gap where health care systems and insurance haven’t caught up. They’re no longer pediatric patients, yet they’re not fully supported by adult oncology care either.
They’re too old for pediatric care, but too young for traditional adult oncology, and the result is a devastating gap in age-appropriate support, visibility, and voice. This age group is navigating some of life’s most significant transitions: college, first jobs, independence, relationships, and cancer hijacks all of it.
15-39 year olds are diagnosed with cancer every year
%
spend their entire life savings within the first two years of treatment
%
cut spending on food, clothing, and basic needs to pay for treatment
OUR SOLUTION
This is a gap that needs more voices, more attention, and more care
… that’s where we come in.
Support for Young Adult Patients: Care, Community, and Connection
Young adults often juggle school, work, housing, and relationships during treatment. We meet those needs with practical help and a welcoming community. Explore AYA basics from the National Cancer Institute’s AYA cancer resources, then see how our events and Care Bags build a stronger local network.
How You Can Help
Give, volunteer, or share Time to Compete with someone who needs support. Every action grows this network. Make a donation, explore ways to get involved, purchase merch, and read Gibson’s story to see why this work matters.
Want To Volunteer? Join Our Volunteer Mailing List.
For Healthcare Workers
Patient navigators, social workers, and oncology teams: we value your partnership. Refer eligible patients for a Care Bag, sign up for updates, and tell us what your young adults need most. If you’re a healthcare professional and your facility isn’t yet part of the TTC Care Bag Program, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can close gaps and improve daily life during treatment.
PATIENTS ARE OUR PRIORITY
Time to Compete Care Bags are distributed through healthcare systems that are part of our national network. If you’re a young adult (ages 19–29) currently in treatment, ask your social worker, healthcare navigator, or oncology team if your hospital or clinic is partnered with us. If they’re not yet in our network, encourage them to reach out—we’d love to welcome new systems into the Time to Compete community.
Once you receive your Care Bag, you’ll be invited to complete a short follow-up so we can better understand your needs and explore how we can continue to support you. Because no one should face this alone.
EVENTS AND THE COMPETE COMMUNITY
Join local meetups, fundraisers, and partner events designed to bring young adults together. These gatherings create space for friendship, encouragement, and shared strength during a hard season. Check out upcoming events, sign up to stay informed, and be part of a network that understands what you’re going through.
Want to be part of the next TTC gathering and connect with others who understand?
OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
If you believe in showing up for others—in the field, in business, or in life—we’d love to have you on our team. Athletes, companies, and organizations can support Time to Compete through grants, sponsorship, in-kind donations, wearing our gear, or recording a message of encouragement for young adults in treatment.
There are so many ways to help. Reach out and let’s find the one that’s right for you.
Questions, Concerns, Need Help? Contact Us!
Have questions or need help now? Contact us and our team will follow up.