Back from AACR: Tired Feet, Full Hearts, Can't Lose

By the Reference Medicine Team

We’re back from the biggest conference we’ve ever exhibited at - AACR 2025 - and let’s just say: we’ve got all the feels. Exhausted? Yep. Inspired? Definitely. Motivated, curious, slightly hoarse from talking all week? Check, check, and check.

This was our first time on the exhibitor side of the aisle at AACR—and wow, what a shift. For those who’ve only ever attended as a scientist or researcher, here’s what it’s like: imagine setting up a mini storefront in a sea of 500 other teams doing the same thing, then trying to win people over with scientific credibility, good vibes, and (let’s be honest) superior swag.

While we did miss roaming the posters, nerding out at the plenaries, and chatting with brilliant minds presenting their research for the very first time, we gained something unexpected - and incredible. As exhibitors, we didn’t just hear what’s working in science. We heard what’s not. The gaps, the friction, the wish lists. We got to ask: “What’s holding you back?” And sometimes, those answers came in the form of laughter - like when someone lit up at one of our stickers that said, “Personally Victimized by PCR Controls.” (You’re seen. We get it.)

Now that we’re back home, shoes off and hearts full, we’ve been reflecting on the whirlwind of a week. And four groups, in particular, stuck with us. These folks reminded us why we do what we do—and why humor, innovation, access, and connection are all part of the same scientific ecosystem.

Here are our AACR 2025 standouts:

🎭 The ComedyCures Foundation

On the final day of the conference, we had the joy of meeting Saranne Rothberg, the founder of ComedyCures. Saranne is a stage IV cancer survivor with a mission to bring joy and laughter into medicine. Her platform uses comedy as a tool for healing—for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike.

One of her standout initiatives is the Beating Cancer Daily podcast—bite-sized episodes packed with humor, hope, and perspective, streamed in 100+ countries. Think of it as a daily vitamin—but for your soul.

Her work reminded us that sometimes the best medicine isn’t FDA-approved—it’s a laugh, a story, or a shared moment of joy.

🔬 FYR Diagnostics

We lucked out with booth neighbors like FYR Diagnostics, a company lighting the way in next-gen liquid biopsy.

Their EVO Platform leverages extracellular vesicle (EV) analysis to detect and monitor cancer—across brain, lung, pancreatic, colorectal, and breast. The science is complex. The implications massive. And the people behind it? Passionate, sharp, and mission-driven.

They’re building tools that not only advance early detection but make cancer diagnostics more accessible, informative, and personal. We’re big fans.

🧬 LC Sciences

Sequencing in-house can be a pipette dream for some teams. Enter LC Sciences. They offer end-to-end sequencing services—from library prep to data interpretation—and do it with customization, affordability, and speed.

If you’ve ever said, “We want to sequence, but we’re not set up for it,” LC Sciences might just be your new best friend. They get the hustle, and they help bridge the gap between ambitious research goals and actual lab infrastructure. Put them in your Rolodex. Trust us.

💙 The Blue Hat Foundation

We were lucky enough to meet the Blue Hat Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit founded by a colorectal cancer survivor. Their mission? Promote awareness and increase access to free colorectal cancer screenings, especially in underserved communities.

Their energy is unmatched—and we were thrilled to gift them a few dozen of our “F* Cancer” (*that’s ‘Fight,’ thank you very much) tote bags, which they handed out to patients after the conference. These aren’t just bags; they’re tiny banners of solidarity—and seeing them handed out to warriors on the frontlines of survivorship? Absolute chills.

In Closing...

‍AACR reminded us of something important: science isn’t just pipettes and p-values. It’s people. It’s patients. It’s persistence. It’s humor and heart and hard questions.

Whether you’re discovering a new biomarker, advocating for screenings, helping teams sequence smarter, or simply making someone smile during a hard week -you’re part of the cure.

Thanks for making AACR 2025 unforgettable. See you next year—with more stickers, more stories, and even comfier shoes.

🧬 With admiration and optimism,
The Reference Medicine Team

Not affiliated with or endorsed by AACR.