Launch times three

Launch of Localife, launch of Young Adult Cancer Canada’s west coast presence in Calgary, and a milestone for young adults that will be revealed in a few days combine to make these past several weeks full of GIANT steps forward for Young Adult Cancer Canada and young adults with cancer in Canada.

Localife is Young Adult Cancer Canada's pilot program which will provide opportunities for young adults with and beyond cancer, and their supporters, to access a community of their peers at fun, engaging social events. Saturday’s Halloween party is the next event following the program’s launch five weeks ago.

Two weeks ago Young Adult Cancer Canada officially kicked off our west coast presence in Calgary with a double shot of Wrong Way to Hope screenings. The awesome film of young adults and cancer perfectly highlights Young Adult Cancer Canada’s purpose. In addition to the 300 plus who got an inside look at the issues facing young adults with cancer, dozens and dozens of new survivors have now found Young Adult Cancer Canada’s community.

The third launch is a secret I have promised to keep for now. Will share soon.

All these milestones have reinforced the need for a return of focus to #2 strategic goal of Young Adult Cancer Canada, sustainability.

While it is #2 of two, truly it is #1 in the long run. If we master sustainability "all our dreams will come true."  When I talk of sustainability I think of it in every facet of Young Adult Cancer Canada’s operations. Lately I’ve been talking about it a lot regarding our partnerships with individuals, organizations and donors. It is our goal to have these partnerships be sustainable, which for me means everyone feels like they are winning.

From Cancer Club, a Calgary support group headed by Young Adult Cancer Canada alumni and super survivor Lindsay Lenny, to the amazing individual professionals, like Norma D’Agostino and Megan McLoed, who support our program development and delivery, and major corporate partners like CDL Systems, our priority is to ensure everyone feels like they are winning when they connect with and work with Young Adult Cancer Canada.

When it becomes clear that a partnership is not a win-win, and thus no longer sustainable we are forced to re-evaluate. I personally have had to do this a few times in the past year, ultimately fundamentally changing the nature of those relationships. While I recognize and accept that not every relationship will be sustainable, and that some times they dissolve for good reasons, it is still our goal to have all relationships be sustainable.

All this growth has brought another reminder that we can’t neglect our internal partnerships either.  

Young Adult Cancer Canada is as strong as the team that comes to work every day and these launches, the milestones we continue to hit as we roll out this year’s business plan are driven by our growing team of eight.

Ensuring they all feel like they are winning will be a focus of my next round of "launches."

Always...
Live life.  Love life.

Geoff