Jay Leno Stands Up for Early Detection at DetecTogether’s Sweet 16 Gala & Golf
Two unforgettable events. One lifesaving mission. Thanks to generous community support, the events were filled with laughter, love, and truly life-changing impact.
DetecTogether’s Sweet 16 Gala & Auction, held on May 31, brought together cancer survivors and dedicated supporters for an evening of inspiration and action. Headlined by comedy icon Jay Leno, the event raised over $1.4 million to advance DetecTogether’s lifesaving mission: teaching people how to recognize early warning signs of cancer and empowering individuals with the tools and confidence to speak up, seek timely care, and ultimately save their own lives.
Laughter Meets Purpose: A Star-Studded Night to Save Lives
Jay Leno brought the house down with his signature wit, capping off a heartfelt night of community generosity. His exclusive Big Dog Garage tour, awarded to $5,000 donors, helped supercharge a vibrant live auction packed with luxury getaways and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. “Cancer’s no joke,” Jay Leno said. “But if I can make people laugh while supporting life-saving early detection, I’m in. DetecTogether is changing lives by teaching people how to recognize the warning signs and speak up before it’s too late— I’m honored to stand for that.”
The evening was emceed by Emmy-winning anchor Vanessa Welch, who guided guests through a program filled with powerful stories, live music by South of Sunrise, and moments of joy, connection, and purpose.
Real Stories. Real Survivors. Real Impact.
One of the night’s most moving moments came from Wendy Griffith, who shared, “3 Steps Detect® has kept me alive and allowed me to live with the best possible quality of life.” Wendy’s story was a powerful reminder that early detection doesn’t just save lives; it empowers people to live more fully with a better quality of life. Griffith’s testimony underscored the growing recognition of DetecTogether’s unique role in cancer care: filling the critical gap between “watch and wait” and “too late.”
Teeing Off for a Cause
The momentum continued on June 2 at DetecTogether’s charity Golf Tournament, hosted at Worcester Country Club and The Haven Country Club. Players teed up for early detection, enjoying beautiful weather and friendly competition — all in support of expanding DetecTogether’s training to reach more first responders, young adults, and workplaces.
Mindset Shift. Lifesaving Results.
With only 14% of cancers detected by routine screenings and 50% of all cancers diagnosed at a late stage, DetecTogether is closing a dangerous gap in early detection. It’s simple and proven 3 Steps Detect® program teaches people to identify subtle, persistent health changes, act quickly, and speak up — shifting the odds dramatically in their favor.
“Part of my inspiration for joining DetecTogether was because of someone I loved — my uncle,” said Patrick McCarty, Chairman of the Board. “He was one of the strongest, most hard-working men I’ve ever known. He didn’t recognize early cancer signs for what they were — and he wasn’t careless. He just didn’t know what he didn’t know. If he had, we all could have had more time with him. That’s what makes DetecTogether different. We teach people how to notice those changes, how to act, and — most importantly — how to trust themselves.”
That mindset shift is saving lives. Over the past year, among those trained in 3 Steps Detect:
82% of participants reported increased confidence navigating the healthcare system
48% identified a health issue early
Two-thirds of those early findings turned out to be cancer
“We know DetecTogether’s training saves lives,” said Frank Leeb, Managing Director of the First Responder Center for Excellence and former Chief of Safety at the FDNY. “We know that awareness — and simple tools for action — make a difference. When firefighters — some of the most self-reliant people you’ll ever meet — adopt this new way of thinking about their health, it sends a powerful message. If it works for firefighters, it will work for you and your family, too.”
16 Years of Teaching People to Save Their Own Lives
This year’s Gala marked a milestone: 16 years of DetecTogether helping people take charge of their health and rewrite their cancer story. The organization’s reach now spans all 50 states.
Thanks to incredible sponsors including CMP Advanced Mechanical Solutions, 1A Auto, Powertech Controls, and Subaru of New England, the Gala and Golf Tournament raised over $1.4 million to expand lifesaving programming even further.
About DetecTogether
DetecTogether is a nonprofit organization saving lives by teaching people how to recognize the early warning signs of cancer and take timely action. Its nationally recognized 3 Steps Detect® program is used by first responders, students, and workplace teams to turn awareness into early action and better outcomes.
Learn more or donate: DetecTogether.org
Media Contact:
Lisa Young
lisa.young@detectogether.org
Date: June 12, 2025
References
NORC at the University of Chicago
Science Journal: “Early Detection of Cancer”
DetecTogether 2024 Impact Survey Study Report
