A Hero Emerges from the Shadows

Mike Craycraft is a testicular cancer survivor and founder of the Testicular Cancer Society. In 2006, Mike felt a lump and knew it was cancer. He decided not to go to the doctor or tell anyone about it, and instead opted to live like he was dying. He even went so far as to throw his own “going away” party. 

After living with cancer in the shadows for seven months, he finally went to the doctor where his cancer was confirmed. Once diagnosed, treated, and put on active surveillance, Mike flipped a switch and decided to embrace his cancer publicly. When he discovered a lack of support groups available for testicular, young adult, and adolescent cancer survivors, he took action and founded the Testicular Cancer Society in 2008. Through Mike’s efforts at his nonprofit, TC survivors now have quality access to education, care, and support.  

In 2022, Mike was the driving force behind organizing Epic Experience’s first ever TC camp. For all that he’s done for TC survivors and the larger cancer community, Mike has been selected by Epic Experience as the recipient of the 2023 Epic Hero Award.