Retreat Yourself (RY) is designed to eliminate the isolation for young adult cancer survivors and supporters. RY tackles where the survivors are emotionally; what their experience has been thus far; and how they have dealt. The retreat focuses on the self, and all of the different components to the self (including physical and emotional health, spiritual, community, relationships).

On July 17th, 2008, 25 survivors and six supporters from six provinces came together in Montreal, Quebec, to connect, share their experiences, and to join a community that truly understands them. For many retreaters, this was the first time they had met another young adult survivor.

A focus group comprised of young adult cancer survivors identified isolation as the defining experience of their cancer journey.

In 2008, we entered the third year of an independent research study by Dalhousie University to evaluate the retreaters feelings of hope, quality of life, and connection to a community.