Cancer Gets LOST, co-founded by Jo Garfein and Jared Wong, is a 501c3-sponsored organization* that raises money for various cancer charities via online and live auctions of rare and autographed pop culture memorabilia. We designate a different cancer charity to receive 100% of all auction proceeds for each auction we host!

Everyone we know has been affected by cancer in some way, and after our favorite show LOST ended in 2010, the two of us were seeking a way to stay connected to the vast online community while also channeling the fandom toward the greater good. Inspired by a dear friend who had brain cancer in her late 20’s, we created Cancer Gets Lost. Sadly, Jackie passed away in the weeks prior to our first online charity auction in 2012, but we were able to raise almost $60,000 and donate it to the National Brain Tumor Society in her honor.

Since that time, CGL has grown tremendously with regard to both our auction item offerings and donations made to various cancer charities. Our online auctions now include items from 50-100 different TV shows and films, as well as music, sports, theater and more! All auction items are kindly donated by fans, actors, producers, writers, crew, etc.

Thus far, we have raised and then donated almost $500,000 to a wide variety of cancer charities!

What is a Fiscal Sponsorship & What Does FJC Do for CGL?

* CGL has non-profit, tax exempt status thanks to a fiscal sponsorship by FJC: A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds. FJC is a public charity that provides management of charitable giving. They have earned a top 4-star rating on Charity Navigator.

FJC’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program (FSP) assists organizations like CGL that have not yet received their 501(c)(3) determination from the Internal Revenue Service. The FSP enables FJC to serve as the fiscal sponsor for CGL, as we are too small to be fiscally viable to exist as an independent organization. Through the FSP, CGL receives FJC’s expertise and operates under their tax-exempt umbrella. For more information, please visit FJC’s website.

Full disclosure: we fund Cancer Gets LOST ourselves, and oversee/manage it all unsalaried. FJC oversees all of the financials for our organization, and they manage our PayPal account.

Cancer Gets LOST is a true labor of love that sparks great joy! Jo curates, creates and oversees all CGL charity auctions full time, year-round.