College vs Cancer Donate

Events

Comedy shows and sports tournaments on campuses across the country.

Five events slated for the 2026-2027 school year.

A packed audience laughing and clapping at the College vs Cancer show at USC

What we've done

Three events in 2026, each planned and promoted by students, each raising money for young adult cancer research.

Poster for College vs Cancer at USC featuring Nick Kroll, Kate Berlant and Vanessa Bayer

The USC Edition

April 6, 2026 · Bing Theatre, University of Southern California

Sold out600 seats
$85,000+raised

Co-founder Jacoby Kroll worked with a committee of USC students and the USC School of Dramatic Arts to put on our first show. Nick Kroll, Bill Burr, Vanessa Bayer and Kate Berlant performed alongside USC student comics and alumni. Sponsors included Netflix, FX, UTA and Underscore Talent. The night ended in a standing ovation, and USC has invited us back in 2027.

NetflixFXUTA

Back to College vs Cancer

August 19, 2026 · Upright Citizens Brigade, New York

Professional comedians shared the stage with college students who earned their spots by auditioning. The students became College vs Cancer Champions and raised donations from friends, family and classmates before the show. Many of them had never performed in front of an audience.

Players and supporters gathered for a group photo at the College vs Cancer Padel Cup

The Padel Cup

July 2026 · Students from UVA, Syracuse, Miami, Penn, Michigan, Georgetown and USC

60players and supporters
$7,000raised

Students recruited the players, signed the sponsors, promoted the day on social media and ran the tournament themselves. Afterward, students at Michigan, Penn, Virginia and Miami asked how to start the same thing at their schools.

Coming up

Four campus events are planned for the 2026–2027 school year, plus a student-run pickleball tournament at UVA.

  1. Catfight: NYU vs Columbia

    November 12, 2026

    Lerner Roone Arledge Cinema, Columbia University · $20 tickets

    Three student comedians from each school go head to head, and the audience votes on which school is funniest. Columbia's Dr. Aaron Viny, who was diagnosed with leukemia at age 20 and went on to become a researcher focused on adolescent and young adult cancer, shares his story.

    Surprise! Our headliner is Malik Elassal, star of FX’s Adults.

    Buy tickets
    Poster for Catfight: Columbia vs NYU on Thursday, November 12 at 8 PM at Columbia’s Lerner Cinema, 2920 Broadway, with headliner Malik Elassal of FX’s Adults
  2. February 2027

    The Georgetown Edition

    Planned with the Baker Scholars Program for Gaston Hall, a 700-seat theater. Co-founder Nick Kroll is a Georgetown alum.

  3. Spring 2027

    The USC Edition, again

    Back at the 600-seat theater, our goal this year is to top the $85,000 in donations we raised last year.

  4. Spring 2027

    The Northwestern Edition

    Venue and date are being finalized. Organized by lymphoma survivor and current Northwestern student Nico Biabani.

  5. Date to come

    UVA Pickleball Tournament

    Built on the Padel Cup model. UVA students run everything from recruiting players to day-of logistics.

Want to bring an event or chapter to your school?

Get involved