Vote for the 2025 Beacon of Hope Award

About Doug Cappiello: Doug is a retired ophthalmologist and a bladder cancer survivor. After a course of BCG treatments failed him, he underwent radical cystectomy in January 2021.

Doug has been an active volunteer with BCAN’s Survivor to Survivor program that matches newly diagnosed patients with trained volunteers who have undergone similar diagnoses.

One of the people who nominated him said, “Doug has been , for me, the ever available voice of support, comfort and hope. The man deserves a halo.”

About Maryellen Towey: Maryellen is a bladder cancer survivor, mother of two and caregiver for her husband who passed away from pancreatic cancer. She had a radical cystectomy in 2024 and has a neobladder.

One of the people nominating Maryellen said, “Maryellen is humble, kind, caring, and compassionate.  A nurse by training, she is always there to help others.  Last year she cared for her husband who was battling pancreatic cancer while she was battling bladder cancer. When her husband lost his battle against pancreatic cancer last year, she remained fully present to her grieving family while undergoing treatment for cancer herself.  Everyday Maryellen chooses joy.

About Sandy Weicher: Sandy is a bladder cancer survivor. She actively volunteers with BCAN and gives back to the bladder cancer community. One person nominating her said, “Sandy has created an Indiana Pouch Support Group that meets monthly by Zoom. It has been life changing for many of us.”

Sandy has also been very active with the New York City Walk to End Bladder Cancer.