Having just run a half marathon, 21-year-old Oskar Nord wasn’t too surprised that his hip hurt.
But over the next several days and weeks, the pain refused to go away. His mother, a nurse, urged him to get an MRI. In December 2022, he did.
“Sure enough, they found a mass on my hip the size of my fist,” Nord says.
His road to recovery began when he made an appointment with Denis Clohisy, an orthopedic oncologist and professor and chair of the University of Minnesota Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Guided by Clohisy and his team, Nord followed a path through chemotherapy, surgery, more chemotherapy, and a recovery that included re-learning how to walk.
But after his treatment at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, Nord found himself missing the hospital’s “magical” staff.
“I wanted to find a way to give back and stay connected to the community that took such good care of me,” he says.
He soon found one. Inspired by the popular streetwear brand Anti Social Social Club, he decided to create a line of fashionable sweatshirts and merchandise and donate a portion of the sales to benefit cancer research and care at the University of Minnesota.
After a few months, his Anti Cancer Club line was born.
With its catchy colors and lettering, Anti Cancer Club hoodies, hats, sweatshirts, and other merchandise lend a spirit of youthfulness and support to cancer awareness.
A dream comes true
To achieve his dream, Nord moved from Minnesota to Chicago and taught himself graphic design and the basics of business management. He sold his first hoodie in January 2024; by year’s end he had sold more than 300.
He’s now reaping rewards that reach beyond the thrill of seeing his creations bought and worn.
“Whenever I wear one of my hoodies, people stop and ask about it,” he says. “Cancer is obviously so prevalent, but I feel like the sweatshirts give people something tangible to believe in and feel good about.”
Nord himself is also feeling good, now that he’s 24 and living with a newfound sense of resiliency, purpose, and peace. He is also adept at expressing himself on this subject.
“There’s another quote I like: ‘Never fear a storm, just learn to dance in the rain,’” he says. “That’s how I try to live every day.”
This story is adapted from a longer piece in Discovery Magazine.
