Office Team

Geoff Eaton

Geoff is a two-time cancer survivor and the founder and Executive Director of Young Adult Cancer Canada. Responsible for the strategic direction of the organization, Geoff has first hand experience attending support groups with people who are closer in age to his grandparents than to him. As a result, he recognizes that Young Adult Cancer Canada's vision is important and essential for young adults dealing with cancer.

Geoff is currently serving on the Adolescent Young Adult Task Force and the National Survivorship Working Group, initiatives of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

He spends personal time riding his motorcycle with his wife, Karen, playing "tickle and chase" with his daughter's Adia and Mira, staying healthy with weight training and hockey, and chasing that sometimes elusive state of "balance".

Recent posts by Geoff
Game On (Organization blog)
Event Coordinator Wanted - Job Posting (Organization blog)
10 Years In (Geoff's blog)
We’re looking for a Director of Development! (Organization blog)
Raising $763,731 (Geoff's blog)

Lesley Morrissey

Lesley is a graduate of Memorial University's Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) program. She has been happily employed at Young Adult Cancer Canada since January 2007, first as Program Director and now as Managing Director. Lesley is responsible for the internal operations of the organization and for keeping Geoff focused – this is a full time job in itself. Lesley is very proud of the YACC’s work and is looking forward to the future in this very exciting position.

Recent posts by Lesley
Canada Day Feelings (Organization blog)
Retreat Yourself West Introduction Party! (Organization blog)
Going bald for a good cause (Shave for the Brave News)
‘Make it Light’ – Big Thanks to Torbay! (Organization blog)
Congrats to Karalee Grant –Winner of the National Medal of Courage! (Organization blog)

Karine Chalifour

Karine is a graduate of Universite du Quebec a Montreal in Social Work and Psychology. She manages the delivery of the organizations key programs: Retreat Yourself, Survivor Conference, young adult workshops, and the public education program. Karine is outgoing, loves music, a good meal with friends and family, and never gets tired of looking at the ocean! She also loves to travel and is dreaming of a Safari in Africa and a road trip in the Grand Canyon. She feels privileged to be part of the YACC team and mission.

Recent posts by Karine
Book Launch in Montreal…Wow! (Organization blog)
How long does it take to…41 weeks, really??? (Organization blog)
Retreat Mode (Organization blog)
What is out there for young adults? (Organization blog)
Hunting for the perfect spot! (Organization blog)

Beth Cranston

Beth is a graduate of Mount Allison University’s Bachelor of Arts and Memorial University’s Performance and Communications Media programs. She started at YACC (then RealTime Cancer) as Communications Coordinator in May of 2007. Now as Director of Special Events and Initiatives, Beth leads fund development and third party events, including the Shave for the Brave and The Climb, in cooperation with other staff members. She coordinates the Touch Yourself, Trust Yourself public education program, works on various communications initiatives, and provides administrative support for the YACC team.

While not working, Beth sings and plays for various choirs in the area. She keeps busy working on her new house, playing with her kitty Mannie, and seeking outdoor adventures whenever and wherever possible!

Recent posts by Beth
“Get Ready to Feel Like a Real Life Superhero!” (Shave for the Brave News)
Welcome to the office Jessica! (Organization blog)
Rock Concert for Cancer (Organization blog)
Empowered to Survive & Thrive (Shave for the Brave News)
10 in 2010, plus Top 10! (Shave for the Brave News)

Duncan de Young

Duncan de Young is a graduate of Memorial University's Bachelor of Arts (History) and Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) programs. He's been connected to Young Adult Cancer Canada in one way or another since Geoff first spoke at Prince of Wales Collegiate in 2000. He's the guy that works on the website, designs some of the materials, and generally fills in the gaps. In Duncan's spare time... he loves hiking, travel, photography & cooking.

Recent posts by Duncan
Touch Yourself, Trust Yourself Realigned (Organization blog)
Another Successful Darryl Gorman Memorial Walk (Organization blog)
Thank You Mobile (Shave for the Brave News)
Words of Praise for MPI (Shave for the Brave News)
The Kids Are Better Than Alright (Shave for the Brave News)

Mike Lang

West Coast Regional Coordinator, mike@youngadultcancer.ca

Mike Lang is a recent Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor and graduate of Trinity Western University with a B.H.K. in Recreation. Mike and his wife Bonnie worked for a number of years as adventure guides with at risk youth and since Mike’s diagnosis in May 2008, they have taken their passion for outdoor experiential education into the realm of young adult cancer survivors. Based in Calgary, Mike is the West Coast Regional Coordinator for YACC and is involved in planning the Survive & Thrive adventure expeditions and general operations of the West Coast office. He has traveled around North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and with his wife loves to ski, rock climb, kayak and stand on top of big mountains.

Jessica Ramsay

Event Co-ordinator, jessica@youngadultcancer.ca

Jessica Ramsay recently graduated from Memorial University with her Bachelor of Business Administration, and is very excited to be working with Young Adult Cancer Canada as the event co-ordinator which promises to be both challenging and very rewarding. She is also really looking forward to working with the rest of the awesome team.

When she is not working away at YACC, Jess is never found far from a good book, cannot resist dancing anytime there is music playing, and loves finding new adventures. She can’t wait to tackle this year’s Shave for the Brave and make it the most awesome one yet!