by Duncan

As the go-to guy for most of the stuff we do on the web, I tend to see a pretty broad spectrum of what Young Adult Cancer Canada does.

But, even still, I don’t really get more than a passing glimpse into the reason why we’re here: the support programs we deliver at our Retreats, Conferences, and other events coast to coast.

This past week, all of the office team (including our latest addition in Calgary, Mike Lang) got together at board Chair (and challenger extraordinary) Brian Vallis’s cabin outside St. John’s, NL.

We spent two full days focused on figuring out what’s important to helping Young Adult Cancer Canada achieve its mission, and related, how we can make the Shave for the Brave (our largest fundraiser) even balder while bringing it coast to coast, too.

We also talked quite a bit about one of our newer initiatives: Survivor in Action. While all the details aren’t fully fleshed out yet, the broad strokes are, and in the process, I got a whole lot more insight into the purpose side of what we do.

Mike Lang, in addition to being the guy on the ground on the western side of the country, is also a cancer survivor and program alumni. Together with Karine, Lesley, and Geoff’s insights into what our programs mean to Young Adult Cancer survivors, I think we all gained a bigger appreciation for the impact of what we do.

We also took the chance to chow down on some rather tasty food. Here’s hoping we can live up to what we all envision Young Adult Cancer might become. To YACC in 2030! Or better still, YACC in 2010!

Posted on May 12, 2010 - 10:45 PM

by Karine

A couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to fly express to Montreal and participate in the launch of an amazing book created by young adults living with cancer: Cancer Under the Radar.

I was happy to be part of the event for many reasons. The obvious one was the quality of the book and what I knew it did for those who participated in the project and also for what I knew it was going to do for those who would read it. The other selfish reason was that this quick trip would allow me to see my family and some friends, something that I enjoyed fully and completely. Finally, I was also excited because attending the event would mean I go back to where my love story with young adult cancer survivors began: Montreal.

You may know this, or not, but a little over a year ago, I decided to pack my bags (actually, it was more pack my life) and move to St. John’s, NL to come and work with the YACC crew and for the YACC cause! This was a big decision, but the fear of the unknown lost the battle against the excitement of getting to work with and for young adults full time and also get to see the ocean everyday!

I was leaving wonderful volunteers (the CanSupport gang) and also a group of young adults that I loved truly. I facilitated the support group “Young Adults in Action” for a little more than two years and it was an eye opener for me. For the first time, I knew exactly what I wanted to do in my career; work with young adult cancer survivors. In those two years, I learned, laughed, cried, and also started the book project. The idea actually came from Louise Gage, the amazing mother of Kasey Gage and also Sharon Wexler, Director of CanSupport. When I made the decision to move to Newfoundland, the book was still an embryo of a project, but my friends and colleagues Gwynneth Gorman and Lindsay Chipman made sure the project would continue and see the light of day.

Gwynneth Gorman and a dynamic committee of young adults pursued the project and created an amazing book!

The book is everything I knew it was going to be and more. It is touching, inspiring, educating, creative and is made of the pure essence of what young adults are made of.

Congrats to my first love!

If you are interested in buying a copy of the book (french or english) you can send a cheque or money order written out to: The Cedars Cancer Institute. Books are $20 plus $8 for shipping and handling/book.

Send your cheques or money orders to:
Cedars CanSupport - A2.44
Royal Victoria Hospital
687 Pine Avenue West
Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1A1

Posted on May 11, 2010 - 05:30 AM