VOICE AND ADVOCACY

about.

I didn’t expect to be a two-time cancer survivor by 40. Once I was, I had to speak up. Sharing my story connected me with others facing life after diagnosis and led me into advocacy.

I work with nonprofits to lead panels, moderate webinars, and shape programs focused on patient experience. I serve on the Kidney Cancer Association’s Advocacy Council, the Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance board, and national committees with Kesem. I also mentor survivors through Imerman Angels and coach kidney cancer survivors on training and recovery as one-kidney athletes.

My work turns lived experience into support and visibility for others.

A note about my name: When I started out in journalism, I chose to spell my name with a “y” — professionally, at least. I thought it made me stand out. Recently, I decided to return to the legal spelling, with an “i.” You can read all about why here.

affiliations.

PRESENT

Board Member, Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance (COA)
- Help advance research and raise awareness for the chromophobe community.
Board Member, Camp Kesem at UT Austin Advisory Board, Kesem
- Help support and raise awareness of Kesem's UT Austin Chapter.
Mentor Angel, Imerman Angels
- Mentor fellow kidney cancer survivors.
Member, National Parent Committee, Kesem
- Help improve and advance the organization and services it provides.
Member, Patient and Caregiver Council (PCAC), Kidney Cancer Association (KCA)
- Member, Legislative Advocacy Subcommittee
Ambassador, Kidney Cancer Association (KCA)
- Podcast Host, Kidney Cancer Unfiltered
- Regional Event Ambassador, KCA Annual Challenge: Austin

PAST

Member, KCCure Chromophobe Research Grant Team, KCCure | January 2021 – February 2023

presentations and panels.

Kidney Cancer Association (KCA)

Interviewer, Patient & Caregiver Stories, Virtual Patient Symposium, 9/6/25 (upcoming)
Panelist, Snack & Learn with Eisai, 3/12/25
Interviewer, Patient & Caregiver Stories, Virtual Patient Symposium, 9/21/24
Panelist, Living with Kidney Cancer, Virtual Patient Symposium, 9/17/21

Judy Nicholson Kidney Cancer Foundation (JNF)

Panelist, Young Voices on Kidney Cancer webinar, 3/27/25
Emcee, Kidney Cancer Patient & Caregiver Education Event with KCA, 10/5/24
Presenter, Movement and Exercise Before & After a Kidney Cancer Diagnosis, Kidney Cancer Patient & Caregiver Education Event with KCA, 10/5/24

Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance (COA)

Moderator, Chromophobe 101 with Dr. Pavlos Msaouel webinar, 3/18/25

Kesem

Panelist, Camp2Campus, Kesem, UT-Austin Chapter, 4/23/25
Panelist, Camp2Campus, Kesem, UT-Austin Chapter, 3/28/24

Women's Leadership Web Conference

Presenter, Navigating Age in a Multigenerational Workplace, Boston Chapter, 9/9/25 (upcoming)
Panelist, “The Evolving Office: Reinventing Team Success Beyond the Office,” Boston Chapter, 9/9/25 (upcoming)
Presenter, Bring Your Whole Self to Work for Others, Boston Chapter, 9/12/24
Presenter, Bring Your Whole Self to Work for Others, Austin Chapter, 8/22/24 (watch here)

events.

Patient Advocate Scholarship Awardee, 2025 ASCO Annual Conference, 5/30/25 - 6/3/25
Team Captain, Regional 81K Challenge: Greater Austin Area, Kidney Cancer Association, 4/12/25 (Read the recap)
2025 Cohort, Escape to THRIVE Cancer Advocacy Leadership Conference, Bag It Cancer,
1/15/25 – 1/19/25
Patient Advocate, Virtual Spring Advocacy Day, KidneyCAN, 3/11/25
Team Captain, Regional 82K Challenge: Greater Austin Area, Kidney Cancer Association, 6/8/24
(Read the recap)
Exhibiting Artist, Scars of Survivorship Series, Healing Through Art Fundraiser, Moving Beyond Cancer Collaborative, 3/17/23
Exhibiting Artist, Scars of Survivorship Series, Healing Through Art Fundraiser, Moving Beyond Cancer Collaborative, 1/4/22

press and honors.

PRESS

“Austin Proclaims March 1 ‘Kidney Cancer Awareness Day’,” KCA Blog, 3/26/25
"Meet Annamaria Scaccia," Canvas Rebel, 10/31/24
"Daily Inspiration: Meet Annamaria Scaccia," VoyageAustin, 8/14/24
“Spotlight: Annamaria Scaccia, Patient & Caregiver Advisory Council," KCA Blog, 8/1/23
"Bodybuilding Lifestyle Helps Mother Defeat Cancer After She Was “Terrified” of Not Being Able to Watch Her Son Grow Up," Essentially Sports, 3/19/23
“I’m a bodybuilder – my fit lifestyle hid my cancer for five years, but now I go to the gym for three hours a day,” The U.S. Sun, 3/14/23
“One Kidney, Nine Lives: An Interview with Kidney Health Advocate, Bodybuilder, and Cancer Survivor Annamarya Scaccia,” Responsum Health Column | 1/12/22

HONORS

Finalist, Deadline Club Awards (Newspaper or Digital Enterprise Reporting), 2018
Winner, Society of the Silurians Best Environmental Reporting, 2017
- "Green Jobs Gone Missing," City Limits, 1/26/16
Winner, Spotlight Documentary Film Awards (Silver), 2016
Winner, Newsweek Magazine Alumni Prize, 2016
Winner, SPJ Region 1 Mark of Excellence Awards (Online News Reporting), 2016
Winner, Online Journalism Awards (Student Projects - Large), 2015
Finalist, EPPY Awards (Best College/University Investigative or Documentary Feature), 2015
Fellow, Peter Jennings Project for Journalist & the Constitution, 2011