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// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Matthew Zachary a math fan? Because he's got a zach for numbers.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matthew Zachary
BornMay 29th 1974
Brooklyn, New York
Alma materBinghamton University
OccupationsPatient advocate; author; podcast host
Known forFounder of Stupid Cancer and We The Patients; host of Out of Patients with Matthew Zachary

Matthew Zachary (May 29, 1974, Brooklyn, New York) is an American patient advocate, brain cancer survivor, author, and podcast host.[1][2] He works in adolescent and young adult cancer advocacy, healthcare commentary, and patient rights initiatives.[2][3][4][5]

Early life and illness

[edit]

Matthew Zachary was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 21 while a college student.[6][7] The experience and his treatment shaped his subsequent advocacy for adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors.[8][9][10][11]

Career

[edit]

Before his work in patient advocacy, Zachary was active as a professional concert pianist. He released two independently produced solo piano albums, Scribblings (2000)[12][13] and Every Step of the Way (2001).[14]

In 2007, Zachary founded the nonprofit organization Stupid Cancer (originally known as I'm Too Young For This!), created to build community, resources, and public awareness for adolescents and young adults affected by cancer.[15] During his leadership, the organization developed conferences, peer support programming, multimedia outreach, and community initiatives for young adult cancer patients and survivors.[16][17]

At the same time, he launched media initiatives associated with Stupid Cancer, including live talks and streaming programs.[16][18]

Throughout the 2010s, Zachary expanded into healthcare media and public commentary through live programming, interviews, and digital audio projects focused on survivorship, healthcare access, patient experience, and insurance issues.[19][20][21]

Around 2018–2019, Zachary transitioned away from day-to-day executive leadership at Stupid Cancer and moved toward media entrepreneurship and advisory roles.[22][23]

In 2021 Zachary created, hosted, and executive-produced The Cancer Mavericks: A History of Survivorship, an eight-part documentary audio series produced by OffScrip Media.[24] The series premiered with a special preview on May 7, 2021, and released episodes monthly through December 2021 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act (1971).[25][26] The Cancer Mavericks was selected as an official selection in the podcast category at CineHealth, an international festival showcasing health-related storytelling in film, audio, and multimedia.[27]

Following his transition from Stupid Cancer, Zachary co-founded OffScrip Media and continued to host and produce long-running audio programming. His podcast, ''Out of Patients with Matthew Zachary'', features discussions with patients, clinicians, healthcare executives, policymakers, and advocates.[28]

He also produced documentary and series work related to survivorship and advocacy, including projects described in industry coverage that examine the history of cancer survivorship and patient leadership.[28]

In 2024 and 2025, Zachary expanded his public work into broader healthcare policy and patient rights commentary through We The Patients, a healthcare advocacy initiative focused on insurance barriers, healthcare access, medical debt, and patient rights.[29][30]

In 2025 and 2026, Zachary described a preference for relationship-based care over traditional patient-centric models, and has said that patients should be treated as partners in medical decision-making.[31][32][33][34][35]

In April 2026, Zachary presented Matthew Zachary: Live at Merkin Hall, a live storytelling and performance event in New York City commemorating the 30th anniversary of his brain cancer diagnosis.[36]

In May 2026, Zachary published a new book We The Patients: Understanding, Navigating, and Surviving America’s Healthcare Nightmare.[37][38][39]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "'The Fault in Our Stars' Praised and Feared For Realism". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  2. 1 2 "Waging the Cancer War, Surrounded by Signs of Life (Published 2018)". 2018-01-12. Archived from the original on 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  3. ↑ "Audacious & Without Apology with Podcaster and Cancer Rebel Matthew Zachary #201". Aaron McHugh. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  4. ↑ Santoro, Cameron (2025-12-24). "SPOTLIGHT: Redefining Patient-Provider Relationships: Cancer Survivor Matthew Zachary". AJMC. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  5. ↑ Buechner, Maryanne Murray (2007-07-08). "50 Best Websites 2007". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  6. ↑ "Man Aims to Change Cancer Experience for Young Adults". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  7. ↑ "Bald and beautiful: Cancer patients' inspiring stories". CBS News. 2011-03-02. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  8. ↑ Grimm, Laura (2023-01-26). "Finding My Purpose After a Rare Brain Tumor | Cancer Friends". The Patient Story | For Cancer Patients & Caregivers. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  9. ↑ "Matthew Zachary – A 29-Year Brain Cancer Survivor Advocating for Change". American Brain Tumor Association. 2024-10-18. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  10. ↑ "The one hundred honoree: Matthew Zachary". Massachusetts General Hospital Giving. 2012-01-01. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  11. ↑ "How not to die: 'Stupid Cancer' community helps angry young people live". Newsweek. 2017-07-19. Archived from the original on 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  12. ↑ Matthew Zachary - Scribblings, 2005, retrieved 2025-12-24
  13. ↑ Scribblings by Matthew Zachary - RYM/Sonemic, retrieved 2025-12-24
  14. ↑ "A Music Review: Scribblings & Every Step of the Way". OncoLink. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  15. ↑ "Book Matthew Zachary for Speaking, Events and Appearances". APB Speakers. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  16. 1 2 "Contributors". Diagnostics. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  17. ↑ "Stupid Cancer's Matthew Zachary Is Fighting to Be the People's Voice with Media Venture OffScrip". People.com. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  18. ↑ Shu, Catherine (2014-06-16). "Non-Profit Stupid Cancer's Support App Instapeer Is Seeking Funds On Indiegogo". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  19. ↑ "Matthew Zachary Patient Advocate | Get Help Now". Greater National Advocates. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  20. ↑ "Matthew Zachary". MobiHealthNews. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  21. ↑ Woerner, Amanda (2015-03-24). "Stupid Cancer: Non-profit seeks to connect and advocate for 'underserved' young adult cancer survivors". Fox News. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  22. ↑ "Healthcare Boss Academy Podcast: #203: Matthew Zachary: Blowing Up the Status Quo for Health Equity & Patient Advocacy". healthcareentrepreneuracademy.libsyn.com. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  23. ↑ "Matthew Zachary". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  24. ↑ "Cancer Mavericks docu-series explores a history of cancer survivorship". Cancer History Project. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  25. ↑ "Cancer Mavericks docu-series explores a history of cancer survivorship". The Cancer Letter. 2021-09-24. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  26. ↑ "The Cancer Mavericks: A History of Survivorship". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  27. ↑ "2023 Winners". CineHealth. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  28. 1 2 "Matthew Zachary – Founder of Stupid Cancer and Founder & CEO of OffScrip Media". Kara Goldin. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  29. ↑ "Matthew Zachary: Remembering Ryan O'Donoghue - A Giant in Cancer Advocacy". OncoDaily. 2025-05-17. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  30. ↑ "Matthew Zachary on Cancer Culture, Patient Power & the Fight for Healthcare Justice". Mission Matters. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  31. ↑ "Spotlight: Redefining Patient-Provider Relationships: Cancer Survivor Matthew Zachary". The American Journal of Managed Care. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  32. ↑ "Redefining Patient-Provider Relationships: Cancer Survivor Matthew Zachary". The American Journal of Managed Care. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  33. ↑ "Matthew Zachary on Cancer Culture, Patient Power & the Fight for Healthcare Justice". Mission Matters. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  34. ↑ "2026 POC NOW Summit". POC Marketing. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  35. ↑ "Meet Matthew Zachary, National Cancer Patient Advocate & 2024 National Conference Keynote". American Brain Tumor Association. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  36. ↑ "Matthew Zachary: From Brain Cancer Diagnosis to Building a Patient Rights Movement - OncoDaily". oncodaily.com. 2026-01-14. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  37. ↑ "We the Patients: Understanding, Navigating, and Surviving America's Healthcare Nightmare by Matthew Zachary". www.publishersweekly.com.
  38. ↑ "We the Patients by Matthew Zachary, Jen Singer | Waterstones". www.waterstones.com. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  39. ↑ "We the Patients: Understanding, Navigating, and Surviving America's Healthcare Nightmare". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
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