Coins for a Cure

How One Man - And One Coin - Are Helping Crush Cancer

Brian Flagg never imagined he’d be fighting cancer. When he was admitted to the emergency room in August of 2024 because of a bleeding ulcer, the diagnosis came back and he was forced to acknowledge the truth.

“It was a complete surprise and shock, being only 66 and in good health,” said Brian.

But he was never one to take things lying down. The illness forced him to retire just two months after its discovery, and while he said it was unfortunate to leave his job so suddenly, the extra downtime in retirement gave him the opportunity to try and give back. Thus, the “Cancer Sucks” coins were born!

“It’s a bit abrasive, but so is cancer,” said Flagg when asked about the tagline. The idea came from a former colleague who responded to his retirement announcement on LinkedIn. The simple comment “cancer sucks” stuck with him, and he decided it would be perfect for his idea to help fight cancer.

Flagg is selling the Cancer Sucks coins on his website and partnering with other organizations to raise awareness. The idea to use custom coins as a fundraiser came from a mail-order catalog offering to make challenge coins as recognition awards for students, teachers, and volunteers. He then did some research on challenge coins and decided Signature Coins would be the perfect partner!

Our team helped refine Flagg’s design idea and create a memorable and meaningful coin. When asked why challenge coins seemed to be the right choice for his efforts to raise money, he said, “Here is something tangible you can hold onto to remind you that people care about you. And the other part is that people can show their support knowing that 100 percent of the profits go to cancer research.”

We’re honored to be a small part of this story. Flagg is a testament to the importance of community-driven efforts, and the spirited determination to never give up! He’s simultaneously fighting his own cancer and helping others fight cancer by raising money and uplifting all with a message of hope! To learn more or support the cause, check out https://donationmedallions.shop/