Sam Carroll is our inspiration.

Video courtesy of Hard Drawn / Russell Miller

Sam Carroll was your typical young guy. He loved sports, dogs, video games with buddies, and his beloved Baltimore Ravens. What was not so typical was his profound kindness, his willingness to help others, and his always gentle smile. Sam was quick to tell you he loved you, and true to his selfless nature, he rarely complained and never wanted to burden anyone. Perhaps that is why he ignored the signs until it was too late. Sam Carroll died of metastatic testicular cancer after a long, hard fight on March 10, 2022. He was just 20.

According to the American Cancer Society, 9,910 American men will develop testicular cancer this year, and 460 will die from it. Testicular cancer has been called “young man’s disease” since it most often strikes men under 33. But many young men don’t know what symptoms to look out for. Being young, they may think they’re invincible. Moreover, in a culture that equates masculinity with being “strong and silent,” too many ignore warning signs and don’t ask for help.

This mindset is what the Samuel Carroll Foundation is committed to change. Inspired by Sam‘s own loving spirit, we seek to elevate awareness—not just about cancer, but all men’s health issues. Many of these (such as testicular and prostate cancer) are highly treatable—if detected early. Early detection not only improves survivability, it mitigates the lasting effects that survivors may have (such as infertility, secondary cancers, and urinary issues.)