From Challenge to Possibility: You Make it Happen

Jamall often felt like he was navigating life like he was walking down a foggy road. Living with sickle cell disease brought daily challenges—pain, uncertainty and stress about his future.

But his first Next Step program, everything changed. Meeting other young adults with sickle cell gave Jamall the confidence and clarity to pursue creating writing projects and his passion for the piano. He finally saw a future beyond his diagnosis.

You can make this possible for even more young people by donating to the 2025 Next Step Annual Fund.

Give the gift of possibility

“Being part of the Next Step community has shown be that living with sickle cell doesn’t mean giving up on my dreams.”

JAMALL, NEXT STEP PARTICIPANT

You can make this transformation possible for even more young people—helping them to see that despite the challenges, their future is full of possibilities.

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones—thank you for believing in our mission.

Bill Kubicek,

Executive Director & Founder, Next Step

Give the gift of possibility

Support the 2025-2026 Next Step Annual Fund

Every great journey starts with a question: What is possible? For teens and young adults living with serious chronic illnesses, that question can feel out of reach. Diagnoses like cancer, sickle cell disease, and HIV often overshadow their dreams and potential.

Each year, thousands of teens transition out of pediatric care, losing support systems they relied on. For nearly 25 years, Next Step has helped to empower these young people to break through these barriers-helping them discover their strength, find a community, and pursue meaningful goals.

Give the gift of possibility

Jamall, a young man with sickle cell disease, was experiencing these same troubles. His diagnosis was clouding his vision of the future. He was looking for something, and thankfully he found Next Step. As a result, Jamall found a community, an environment where he felt comfortable chasing his passions and seeing a future full of possibilities.

“Before Next Step, I never met anyone my age who lives with sickle cell. Meeting peers who get it—that was the moment I finally felt seen.”

JAMALL, NEXT STEP PARTICIPANT

Now is the time to act.  Your support last year has made a real difference for young people living with serious illness. Join us again today in transforming “Why me?” into “What’s next?” for even more young people like Jamall. Please include Next Step in your end-of-year giving plan and become a catalyst for change.

Your gift isn’t just a donation—it’s a lifeline.  Give today. Empower tomorrow. 

Best wishes,

Bill Kubicek, Executive Director & Founder, Next Step

Give the gift of possibility

Welcome to the team, Malanya!

We’re thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Next Step team! Say hi to Malanya, who joined us this summer. We recently sat down with Malanya to learn more about their role and experiences since joining our team. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we enjoyed talking with them!

…………………………………

What is a random factoid about yourself?

M: I make stained glass paintings.

Can you describe your role at Next Step?

M: I seek and create partnerships with medical providers in the NYC tri-state area to increase recruitment into our programs.

What is your favorite thing about working at Next Step?

M: I love that I get to tell people about a safe space for young people of all identities where they can escape ableist structures, make new friends, learn new skills, and achieve their goals all in the context of self-care and advocacy.

How did you find Next Step and what about the organization appealed to you?

M: Next Step appealed to me because this organization combines a non-traditional therapeutic process, people-centered design, and expressive arts for emerging adults to realize self-determination.

Why did you choose a nonprofit career path?

M: My career has taken many paths but creative expression is my guide.

We are really into music at Next Step. Do you have a favorite musician? Favorite concert you’ve attended? Do you play an instrument or sing?

M: I was a choir kid in middle and high school; I sang alto. Now, I enjoy karaoke, musicals and making playlists for every mood. My favorite artist right now is Doechii but I haven’t seen her concert yet. My recent favorite concert was Kokoroko at Brooklyn Steel performing their album, Tuff Times Never Last.

Which song would be the soundtrack of your life right now?

M: Doechii – WAIT (Live Park Performance)

If you could instantly become an expert in anything, what would it be?

M: Interior design or documentary filmmaking.

Do you have a favorite hobby during your free time outside of Next Step?

M: I love to visit queer- and Black-owned bookstores and art galleries.

What do you enjoy most about working at Next Step?

M: It’s a safe space for young people of all identities to escape ableist structures, make new friends, learn new skills, and achieve their goals all in the context of self-care and advocacy.

What is your favorite quote?

M: “Without community, there is no liberation.” – Audre Lorde

Celebrating you this Gratitude Tuesday

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. But instead of asking for a donation this year, I want to say THANK YOU. Because of you, young people facing chronic illness don’t have to face their challenges alone—they have they vital community and support they need at Next Step. But don’t just take my word it—hear from the young people themselves in the video below.

Because of your support, young people with serious chronic illnesses can see their future full of possibilities—not clouded by their diagnosis.

Yours in gratitude,

Bill Kubicek

Executive Director & Founder, Next Step

 

Donate now

Join Next Step STRIVE this Spring

Next Step STRIVE is a FREE weekly mentorship program for teens, ages 13-18, living with a chronic illness in Boston, Washington, D.C., New York City, New Haven and Philadelphia. As a STRIVE student, you’ll get one-on-one academic support and access to a community of peers in a safe and welcoming environment. Sound cool? Sign up below and join us!

Here’s what you can do at STRIVE each week:

1. Get Homework Help When You Need It
Attend weekly virtual sessions with a dedicated mentor.

2. Connect and Destress with Friends Who Get It
Attend a bi-monthly in-person programs focused on community building and fun.

3. Learn, Collaborate and Give Back Together
And once a month, STRIVE students from Boston, Washington D.C., New York City, New Haven and Philadelphia meet online for some real talk—and action! You might hear from a panel of young adults living with a chronic illness, learn tips for health management, work together on a community service project to lift the spirits of kids in the hospital or maybe even write a song together.

Sign up to join Next Step STRIVE

Next Step STRIVE groups meet from September 29th through May 2nd. Just hearing about STRIVE? No problem, you can join anytime—there’s no deadline. Sign up by filling out the short form below and one of our team members will be in touch with more details to get you started.

Still have questions?

Email Richard Martinez, Next Step Mentorship Coordinator, at richard@nextstepnet.org

Join our Spring Campference

We are hosting our 2026 Spring Campference for young adults, ages 18-29, living with a chronic illness from Friday, April 10th to Sunday, April 12th at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Watertown, MA. Part camp, part conference, our 3-day Spring Campference fosters friendships and community with peers who “get it.”

At a Next Step Spring Campference, you can:

  • Engage in educational workshops
  • Recharge with new friends
  • Join the music and art mayhem
  • Create fun, life-changing moments
  • Empower yourself with information and resources

 

Sounds good?! Spots for our popular Spring Campference fill up fast so we encourage you to submit your application below as soon as possible to secure your spot!

In Their Words

Our participants say it best. Read stories from young people who have attended a Next Step Campference.

Do you have questions before signing up?

Email Casey Casey, Next Step Nursing Director and Partnership Coordinator, at casey@nextstepnet.org or Kepler Jeudy, Next Step Program Director, at kepler@nextstepnet.org if you have any questions about our 2026 Spring Campference for young adults living with a chronic illness.

Join our mentoring program this Spring

Do you have goals that you just can’t seem to make progress on? Maybe you feel like you know exactly what you need to do but you still can’t seem to do it? Or maybe you are already doing everything you can, but it doesn’t feel like you’re making a dent? If you said yes to any of these questions, our mentoring program might just be the extra boost you need. Our 2026 Spring Mentoring Program starts the week of February 2nd. This FREE program is for young people, ages 16-29, living with a chronic illness.

Most of the time, we already have the skills we need to move forward on our own but it can feel hard to get started. What we need is a little extra step to get moving. This is what our mentorship program can do for you. In our mentoring program you can identify and work on developing the skills you need to support yourself in your journey through adulthood so you can start your tomorrow, today.

Program Description:

  • 3 month-cycle
  • You meet with an assigned mentor 1-on-1 each week, in-person or virtually
  • Meetings are ~1 hour
  • Work on your Action Plan (developed collaboratively by you and your mentor)
  • Participants are paid $20/session, a total of $240 to help support their goal

Sounds good? Fill out the application below and Richard, our Mentorship Coordinator will contact you to schedule an initial interview. You will be assigned a mentor and ready to begin at the start of the next cycle.

Questions?

Email Richard if you have any questions or need additional information about our 2025 Summer Mentoring Program: richard@nextstepnet.org

Join Next Step Songbook this Spring

Do you experience complicated feelings around life, your medical journey, connections with others? Are you struggling with your confidence and using your voice with your doctors, at school, work or in your social life?

Next Step Songbook is about finding your voice and your story through songwriting. Kimberly, Next Step Song Studio Director, will help you tell the story you want to tell. Songbook is a safe space to be you – to live your life in the midst of challenge or joy. You can express yourself through writing song lyrics, reflect on your life, practice using your voice and tell the story you want to tell about yourself.

Program Description:

  • FREE virtual program
  • Find your voice, develop your self confidence and learn other life skills
  • For young people, ages 16-29, living with a serious illness
  • 3-4 week session starting in February 2026

2026 Spring Dates

Cycle 1: February to March (Start on 2/9 and end on 3/9)

Cycle 2: Mid-March to Mid-April (Start on 3/23 and end on 4/20)

Questions?

Email Casey Casey, Next Step Partnership Coordinator, if you have questions about Next Step Songbook: casey@nextstepnet.org

Next Step Songbook Application

Please fill out the form below if you are interested in joining this online program.

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

  • PARENT/GUARDIAN AND EMERGENCY CONTACT

  • Medical Overview

  • Community Agreement/Rules of Conduct

    Please select as an indication that you will adhere to the code of conduct.
    Please select as an indication that you understand the behaviors that are unacceptable at the program.

  • PHOTO AND INFORMATION RELEASE

  • I give Next Step permission to photograph and use pictures or visual and/or audiotapes of me in professional or fundraising activities. On occasion, with this permission, participant photographs may be included on the Next Step website, on a bulletin board, video, newsletter, campference album, or in personal photographs. Next Step respects the privacy of participants and does not allow unauthorized visitors to photograph the campference or participants. In addition, by signing below, I give Next Step permission to give my name, address and/or phone number to groups or individuals wishing to support Next Step by inviting me to an event or by sending me information related to Next Step. This list will not be sold or given to anyone else for any other reason.

  • Please Sign

    By signing below, I hereby acknowledge that I have read and fully understand the terms and expectations of the program. All information provided is current and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

Run the 2026 Boston Marathon

“I chose to support Next Step because I was moved by its community. I’ve never met a group of more grateful hard-working and gifted people, singularly devoted to their mission and the wonderful youth they serve. I couldn’t imagine a more deserving cause for my first marathon.”

-Liz, Team Next Step-

 

Are you interested in running the oldest marathon in the world? Join Team Next Step on Monday, April 20th to run the 2026 Boston Marathon and be part of history while supporting a great cause. Your participation on Team Next Step will help more teens and young adults see beyond their diagnosis to a world of possibility. The fundraising commitment to join Team Next Step is $13,000. Every dollar raised will help seriously ill young people attend our life-changing community, music and mentorship programs at no cost to them or their family. Sounds good? Fill out the application below if you are interested in running the 130th Boston Marathon for Next Step. Go Team Next Step!

2026 Boston Marathon Application

Fill out the form below if you are ready to commit to running the 130th Boston Marathon for Next Step! Filling out this form does not guarantee you a spot on Team Next Step.

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Singlet size(Required)
Charity runners are required to finish the Boston Marathon within 6 hours. Will you be able to complete this marathon within 6 hours?(Required)
Does your employer offer matching gifts for your marathon donations?(Required)
Attach a photo of you training for the race or running a past race.(Required)
Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.
Runner Release Waiver and Fundraising Agreement(Required)
Runner signature(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Because of You, We’re celebrating 24 years!

Today is our 24th birthday!

Back in 2001, Bill Kubicek, Next Step Founder and Executive Director, headed into Boston, MA with $35 in his pocket to incorporate Next Step.

For the past 24 years, Next Step has remained dedicated to empowering teens and young adults living with serious chronic illnesses—connecting with more than 11,000 to date.

What began as offering seasonal Weekend Retreats for young cancer survivors has grown into year-round community, music and mentorship programming for teens and young adults living with various chronic illnesses in Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Providence and New Haven.

“It has been quite a journey so far, from a kitchen table to programming across the country. The team that has gotten us here is incredible and the team that continues to move us forward is unmatched. There is still so much work to be done…”

-Bill Kubicek-

We wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without the generosity of donors like you. Thank you for joining us for this crazy ride and we hope you’ll stick with us to see where we’ll go next!

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3 days ago

Before Next Step, Jamall often felt lost in the fog of his sickle cell diagnosis - pain, uncertainty, stress. Donate to the 2025 Next Step Annual Fund to help more young people like Jamall see past their challenges to a future full of possibilities. https://www.nextstepnet.org/donate/ Lightbox link for post with description Before Next Step, Jamall often felt lost in the...

Before Next Step, Jamall often felt lost in the fog of his sickle cell diagnosis - pain, uncertainty, stress.

Donate to the 2025 Next Step Annual Fund to help more young people like Jamall see past their challenges to a future full of possibilities.
https://www.nextstepnet.org/donate/

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Next Step

1 weeks ago

Before Next Step, Jamall felt alone in his journey with sickle cell disease. Meeting peers who truly understood him changed everything. Your support of Next Step will give more young people like Jamall a community that inspires them to chase their dreams: https://www.nextstepnet.org/donate/ Lightbox link for post with description Before Next Step, Jamall felt alone in his ...

Before Next Step, Jamall felt alone in his journey with sickle cell disease. Meeting peers who truly understood him changed everything.

Your support of Next Step will give more young people like Jamall a community that inspires them to chase their dreams: ...https://www.nextstepnet.org/donate/

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