DetecTogether FAQs

DetecTogether is a nonprofit organization based in Westborough, Massachusetts, dedicated to saving lives by teaching people how to recognize subtle early warning signs of cancer. Most cancers—about 86%—aren’t found through routine screenings, and early-onset cancers are on the rise. That’s why knowing when to act is critical.

DetecTogether teaches people how to spot early symptoms of cancer, trust their instincts to act fast, and work in partnership with doctors to save their own lives. Our proven training, 3 Steps Detect®, transforms passive patients into proactive advocates—leading to better health outcomes and more lives saved.

Research shows that 68% of DetecTogether training participants actively use 3 Steps Detect®, 82% feel more confident working with a doctor to receive better care, 42% identify a health issue that needs care, and 64% of early diagnoses are cancer-related (Training Impact Survey, 2024).

Founded by Jim and Nancy Coghlin in 2008 as 15-40 Connection, we rebranded as DetecTogether in 2021 to broaden our reach and better reflect our impact. Our mission is simple yet urgent: equip every person with the skills and confidence to detect cancer early and act fast. Learn more about us. 

DetecTogether’s mission is to save lives by teaching people how to detect cancer and other serious illnesses early, when they are most treatable, and by giving them the confidence to navigate their healthcare and advocate for themselves.

DetecTogether was founded by Jim and Nancy Coghlin—community and business leaders, philanthropists from Worcester, Massachusetts. After losing their dear friend, Mark Ungerer, to cancer, they saw a critical gap in healthcare: no one was teaching people how to recognize the early warning signs of cancer and act on them.

Motivated by that loss and by their passion to save lives, the Coghlins created a nonprofit with a simple yet powerful mission: to give people a clear roadmap for early detection. That vision grew into DetecTogether’s 3 Steps Detect® program, which empowers individuals to notice health changes, speak up, and get the right care sooner—because early detection saves lives.

DetecTogether is headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, and provides education programs nationwide. 

Yes, 68% of training participants actively use 3 Steps Detect®, 82% feel more confident working with a doctor to receive better care, 42% identify a health issue needing care, 64% of early diagnoses were cancer.

DetecTogether is supported through a mix of individual donations, grants, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events (such as DetecTogether’s Gala, Auction, and Golf Tournament), and fee-for-service workplace wellness programs.

Thanks to this model, DetecTogether is able to provide free early detection training to firefighters, first responders, and students—while workplace partnerships sustain and expand our reach.

Donate

“3 Steps Detect” is DetecTogether’s practical training for one of life’s toughest fights—cancer. It’s a simple, proven system that empowers people to notice subtle health changes that may be cancer’s calling card, know when to seek care, and how to work with doctors to get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment sooner.

We all act fast when danger is obvious. The challenge is recognizing risk when the warning signs are small. That’s where 3 Steps Detect® comes in—a roadmap that shows when it’s time to act so you can take control of your health and help save your own life.

Learn 3 Steps Detect

No, it’s designed for anyone, in plain language, practical, not medical jargon.

DetecTogether serves people nationwide who are at risk of missing early symptoms of cancer. Wherever we teach—on the fireground, in classrooms, or in workplaces—DetecTogether equips people with the same proven skills of how to recognize warning signs, act quickly, and save lives:

  • Firefighters and first responders — who are at a higher occupational risk can always access our online training and live webinars for free, thanks to donor support. In-person training is also available; when travel is required, departments may be asked to cover associated costs.
  • High school and college students — building lifelong early detection habits through our free, donor-funded curriculum for teachers and schools.
  • Workplaces and employees — through our fee-based wellness programs that help workers catch health issues sooner, when they’re easier and less expensive to treat.

Unlike other organizations, DetecTogether doesn’t just raise awareness about cancer—we teach people what to do. DetecTogether’s focus is on the individual’s role in early detection. Through our 3 Steps Detect® program, we give people practical skills to notice health changes, trust their instincts, and push for timely, accurate care. It’s proactive, action-based training designed to save lives.

DetecTogether teaches you to spot early warning signs of cancer and take action before it’s too late. DetecTogether’s 3 Steps Detect® roadmap helps you notice health changes, act quickly, and advocate for yourself in today’s challenging healthcare environment—because early detection saves lives. 

It’s easy. DetecTogether offers in-person presentations, live webinars, and online training that can be tailored for fire service, students, or workplaces. Contact us to schedule a program—or to explore how our free and fee-based programs can fit your organization’s needs. Learn how to integrate our tools into your organization.   

Cancer is DetecTogether’s primary focus because it’s one of the leading causes of death—and catching it early saves lives. But the skills DetecTogether teaches through 3 Steps Detect® apply far beyond cancer. The same approach helps people recognize when any serious health issue may be developing, trust their instincts, and act before it becomes more dangerous. DetecTogether’s training fosters lifelong habits for speaking up, seeking care sooner, and improving outcomes across many conditions.

Most cancers aren’t found by screenings. Cancer’s most common symptom can be subtle.  Learning to recognize this is not intuitive and needs to be taught. Healthcare starts with patient awareness and action. We fill the gap by teaching skills that save lives today.

Every action—big or small—helps equip more people with the life-saving skills of 3 Steps Detect®. There are many ways to help advance our mission of saving lives through early detection:

  • Donate — your gift makes firefighter and student training free.
  • Share your story — inspire others by showing how early detection makes a difference.
  • Attend an event — join DetecTogether’s Gala, golf tournaments, and community fundraisers.
  • Spread the word — follow us on social media and share our resources.
  • Volunteer — lend your time and talents to strengthen our programs.
  • Bring us to your community — invite DetecTogether to your school, workplace, or fire department.

Yes, DetecTogether’s Federal Tax ID/EIN is #26-2873903  

DetecTogether’s Federal Tax ID/EIN is #26-2873903  

Yes, 15-40 Connection rebranded as DetecTogether in 2021 to reflect an expanded mission and impact beyond the 15–40 age group and a greater emphasis on early detection skills for all. Learn more about DetecTogether’s history 

Always free:

  • School curriculum
  • Fire departments (online learning and webinars)

When fees apply:

  • Workplace Wellbeing Program
  • Travel expenses for all distant program locations

Training sessions last between 45 and 60 minutes for in-person or live webinar trainings. DetecTogether’s online Learning System includes micro-courses that average less than 9 minutes each.

No, it’s about building habits to recognize subtle changes before something becomes serious.

No, DetecTogether is not a healthcare provider; we teach people how to recognize health changes and advocate for themselves with their doctors.