I would have expected my heart to feel broken after four days facilitating a group of 30 young adults living with cancer. There were many tears, but mostly my heart felt full of love and respect, hope, and inspiration. I learned that cancer cannot touch the spirit, nor take away our innate capacity for happiness even in the midst of life's greatest challenges.

-Janie Brown, RN, MSN, MA (Psych.) Executive Director, Callanish Society, Vancouver

Retreats are especially important for young adult's coping with cancer in rural Canada. In large, urban cancer centres it can be a challenge to find other young adults. Imagine how hard it is to connect with young adults when you live in a small town, on a farm or in a remote, northern community!

-Social Worker and Facilitator for Retreat Yourself

A YACC retreat is a powerful event to be a part of whether you are a facilitator, patient, or supporter. It never ceases to amaze me how people who come in as strangers are able to leave feeling like family. Through the retreat, a sense of safety, trust, and connection is built; difficult topics and feelings are addressed; and new ideas for solutions are generated (and there is time for fun and laughter too). You may leave with more questions and insights into new challenges; but hopefully these will feel less threatening because of the support of the YACC community.

-Norma D’agostino

Retreat Yourself East
Cape Breton, NS
July 19-23, 2012

Retreat Yourself West
Morley, AB
May 3-7, 2012