Shelton State Hosts Community Town Hall on the Impact of Cancer

March 30, 2026 — Shelton State Community College (SSCC) will host a community-wide town hall focused on the impact of cancer on Tuesday, March 31 at 10:30 a.m. in the Martin Campus Gym. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m., and the event is free and open to the public. The media is invited to attend, and media opportunities are available beginning at 9:00 a.m. 

The town hall will bring together survivors, advocates, healthcare leaders, and community voices for a powerful conversation on how cancer affects individuals, families, and communities across the region.

The event is presented in partnership with Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) and No Evidence of Disease (NED) and will be moderated by Rick Karle, longtime local sports director, cancer survivor, and creator of the Good News blog, which highlights uplifting human-interest stories throughout the region.

Featured panelists include Denis Murphy, founder of Friends of Jaclyn and NED; Sarah Patterson, former University of Alabama gymnastics coach; representatives from DCH Hospital; and other members of the Tuscaloosa community.

As part of the program, each panelist will wear a shirt representing the type of cancer that has most impacted their life, serving as a powerful visual reminder of the many forms cancer takes and the shared strength of those affected.

“This town hall is about visibility, empathy, and hope,” said SSCC President Dr. Jonathan Koh. “By bringing together voices from across our community, we aim to foster meaningful conversation and remind those impacted by cancer that they are not alone.”

Shelton State Athletics began its partnership with Friends of Jaclyn in 2023 and has since adopted two young cancer patients, reinforcing the College’s commitment to service, compassion, and community engagement.