Team

About Angie Barrington

Angie is a graduate of Memorial University’s Bachelor of Arts program where she studied English and Folklore. While at university, she worked at the Muse, Memorial University’s student newspaper, and as the Atlantic Board Director for Canadian University Press. These experiences uncovered her affinity for sharing information and getting to know people—two skills that are very useful for Young Adult Cancer Canada’s Communications Manager. She is always looking for ways to share stories from our young adult survivor community in order to help decrease feelings of isolation, build a stronger peer support network, and celebrate one another.

Team member since

2010

Attended

Retreat Yourself East 2011, Survivor Conference 2010, 2012, 2014-18

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

Get entertained. I love concerts, theatre, festivals, movies, and books. I’m also starting to take better advantage of some of the adventure activities the east coast has to offer!

What attracted you to YACC?

The fact that it is now my job to meet interesting people and find ways to tell their stories. I love being a part of an organization that empowers people to live better.

What are people always surprised to learn about you?

I have a motorcycle license.

What were you like as a kid?

I was a shy, precocious bookworm who followed the rules and loved New Kids on the Block.

About Dani Taylor

Dani is an oncology social worker and young adult, colorectal cancer survivor. She has completed her MSW with Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at University of Toronto, as well as her BSW and BA in English Literature with York University. Her experiences with the health care system and support of Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) led her to explore a career in psychosocial oncology. She attended Retreat Yourself in 2015 and has been passionate about the role of community in cancer care ever since. Dani makes her home in Toronto, ON, where her loving partner, Pat, fills the air with music and her spoiled cat, Gravy, sings along hoping for an early dinner. Dani has previously worked for Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Hometown

Sarnia,ON

Team member since

2022

Attended

Retreat Yourself 2015 (survivor), Retreat Yourself Adventure 2015 (survivor), Survivorship Conference 2015 (survivor), Survivor Conference 2016 (survivor/performer), Survivor Conference 2017 (survivor/speaker), Retreat Yourself Adventure 2018 (peer supporter), Survivor Conference 2019 (facilitator), and YACCtivist Training 2019 (staff). Former Localife Toronto leader and YACCtivist.

What’s your favourite sports team/band/book/movie/place in the world?

Survivor (the TV show), Superfan.

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

I love to volunteer, enjoy good food, and let the TikTok algorithm handle the rest.

What are your words of wisdom/favourite quote?

“I know it has all been confusing, or at least it was to me. But it’s the same confusion as when I am confident that every person who has ever lived knows exactly what I mean when I describe feeling like a snake on the path in the dappled sunshine which turns out, on close inspection, only to be a snake’s discarded skin. "To see a snake is also to think of the way a snake slithers out of its skin, the way it has to rub its skin against something hard so that the skin begins to loosen and also the way the snake must generate sufficient new skin so that the old might be left behind. To see a snake is to think of the way the snake’s eyes glaze over and it might not be able to see for a bit because there it is, getting new skin, getting rid of the old, lost in the process of becoming something else.” - Anne Boyer, What Cancer Takes Away (2019)

About Geoff Eaton

Geoff is a two-time cancer survivor and the founder and Executive Director of Young Adult Cancer Canada. He has first-hand experience attending support groups with people who are closer in age to his grandparents than to him. Geoff is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization and his own experiences help him ensure YACC’s vision remains focused on the well-being of the young adults dealing with cancer in Canada. Geoff is currently serving on the Telus Atlantic Community Board, has participated on numerous cancer related boards and working groups, and loves coaching minor hockey and basketball. He spends personal time riding his motorcycle with his wife, Karen; watching daughters, Adia and Mira, and son, Kane, grow and find their passions; staying healthy with hiking, yoga, and hockey; and chasing that sometimes elusive state of “balance.”

Hometown

St. John's, NL

Team member since

2000

Attended

Many YACC events

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

Rock it out with my kids at home, rock it out at rock concerts with my wife and friends, chase black rubber and guys much quicker than I, gym and motorcycle also favourites.

What are your words of wisdom/favourite quote?

“The determinant of one’s growth is the degree to which they are willing to be truly open.” – Jeff Mooney “Statistics are sometimes an accurate reflection of the past, but they are not necessarily at all a predictor of the future.” – Geoff Eaton

What attracted you to YACC?

Combo of wanting to use my cancer experience to help others, needing a way to process the crazy path I had lived and an effort to deal with the fear of dying very young without making the mark I wanted.

What are people always surprised to learn about you?

I’m taller in person than in pictures.

What were you like as a kid?

Same -- Determined, fun, strong sense of what was important to me, but with more hair, and a few less pounds.

Which superpower would you like to have?

The remote that stops time from the movie Click would be cool. “Sleep” from the sandman for my kids on select nights would also come in handy.

What’s your hidden talent?

I can do a little of a lot of things, but very few things really well.

What was your favourite experience at YACC?

Many but the 2012 Survivor Conference was a personal highlight as I really felt that the event could have been just as powerful without me having been there. A powerful experience for me given my ultimate goal for YACC is to build a great organization that is around long after I am.

About Karine Chalifour

Karine is a graduate of Université du Québec à Montréal in Social Work and Psychology. After working in a hospital setting for years, she had the opportunity to co-facilitate a young adult support group. It became clear that this is what she wanted to do. In 2007, she started volunteering for YACC as a facilitator at Retreats and Conferences before moving to St. John’s and becoming a full-time employee. She is now the program director and is in charge of planning and delivering events and she loves every minute of it!

Hometown

Born and Raised in Montreal, QC, but my heart now belongs to St. John’s, NL.

Team member since

2009

Attended

Many Retreat Yourself and Survivor Conference events since 2007.

What are your words of wisdom/favourite quote?

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Einstein

What were you like as a kid?

Apparently, my mom was always looking for me and would usually find me chatting at one of our neighbours’. I guess you could say I was independent and social;-)

Which superpower would you like to have?

Having the superpower to heal mental and physical illness would be pretty cool.

About Katrina Taliana

A University of Guelph and Sheridan Technical Institute graduate, Katrina spent a decade running two small retail businesses in downtown St. John’s and is now excited to help support the YACC community. Katrina is an artist at heart and often spends her time behind the pottery wheel, painting, and sculpting. She is also an avid outdoors woman and loves hiking, foraging, and icy dips in the ocean.

Hometown

Woodstock, ON

Team member since

2022

What’s your favourite sports team/band/book/movie/place in the world?

I love music and live shows really keep me going. I am incredibly thankful to live in a place that has such a vibrant music scene with such a wide range of eclectic musicians. The Burning Hell is one of my favourite local bands.

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

What are your words of wisdom/favourite quote?

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do, with your one wild and precious life?” - Mary Oliver

What attracted you to YACC?

The values and ethics at YACC really spoke to me. I am interested in making a difference in our community and I believe YACC achieves that in a very meaningful way. YACC has big goals for the future and I look forward to being an integral part of the organization.

What are people always surprised to learn about you?

As a horticulturist and forager, I can walk around most urban landscapes and find useful edible plants that most people simply call weeds.

About Kristen Zamojc

Kristen is a graduate from the University of Toronto, with a degree in English. Wanting to make her mark and to be the change that she wanted to see in the world, she dreamed of a career in international development, working to help children and women lift themselves from poverty in the developing world. After two overseas volunteer retreats, she was diagnosed with cancer and a rare genetic disease that left her wondering where her dream had gone and what her next step should be. YACC provided a light at the end of a very dark and scary tunnel, providing support, friendship, and a renewed confidence that life can go on, even if the future is a little unknown. Kristen made a career shift and found a renewed passion in fundraising, project management, and event planning while working in Toronto. After a number of years as a YACC community member, her dream position opened at HQ and she became a YACC staff member and a Newfoundlander!

Hometown

Toronto, ON

Team member since

2021

Attended

Retreat Yourself BC 2016, Localife Toronto, and Primetown 2021.

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

My husband and I love hiking and exploring the world around us. We climbed Machu Picchu in Peru for our honeymoon! We now have two young kids who we are trying to shape into lovers of nature, hiking, and exploration. Most weekends are spent with the baby strapped to our backs, exploring the woods or a new hiking trail. If we are not hiking, you will find us biking or snowshoeing — anything to get us outside!

What are your words of wisdom/favourite quote?

"I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

What were you like as a kid?

I was a crazy, outgoing, silly kid, who loved life, dancing, and chatting with everyone! As an adult, I come off more reserved and quiet, but once you crack through that tough outer shell, that silly kid is still there.

Hometown

Kitchener, ON

Team member since

2022

Attended

Dunk for the Brave 2022

What’s your favourite sports team/band/book/movie/place in the world?

I have a lot of favourites! Favourite sports team is the Toronto Raptors, favourite movie is Enchanted or Little Mermaid, favourite place in the world is New York City, and I am an avid reader so there are too many favourites to list!

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

I enjoy taking my dog on walks or hikes, curling up with a tea and a book, or watching reality TV!

What are your words of wisdom/favourite quote?

"Don’t let the things you can’t control stop you from enjoying the things that you can."

What attracted you to YACC?

I have always been a positive and upbeat person so I found myself wanting to work with people who shared my same values and passion. When the world tries to hand you so many bad things it can be easy to get caught up in it, but being in an organization like YACC shows you the potential and positivity that is still left to be explored.

What are people always surprised to learn about you?

My passion for reading extends past what most expect; I have worked as an influencer and reviewer for publishing companies and have travelled to attend book events! I’ve run different reading groups and projects for the last few years!

What were you like as a kid?

I was a shy kid at first glance but once I got to know someone my passion and kind-heartedness would shine through.

Which superpower would you like to have?

I would like to have the ability to fly because there are so many parts of the world I want to see.

What do you wish you could do?

I wish I could inspire people and help them see the positive parts of life.

About 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, then as Managing Director, and now as Community Engagement Manager. Lesley is responsible for Localife, The Big Cancer Hook-up and our YACCtivist program. Lesley is very proud of the YACC’s work and is looking forward to the future in this very exciting position.

Team member since

2007

Attended

Retreat Yourself 2007-2010, Survivor Conference 2007-2011, 2014

Favourite place in the world?

Anywhere in Italy! Food, wine, culture–what’s not to love!

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

Spend time with my husband and our children, hiking or camping.

What attracted you to YACC?

The thought of making a difference in someone’s life, and the idea that someday my children would be proud of what their mommy did everyday.

What are people always surprised to learn about you?

I am a HUGE Coronation Street fan!

What was your favourite experience at YACC?

My first Retreat Yourself in 2007. It completely changed my life to meet all of our survivors face-to-face for the first time.

About Razor

Razor grew up in sub-Saharan Africa. He He did well in school and was on track to become the leader of his pride. One day, he was gently ram shacking a villager’s house — looking for chocolate — when he saw Geoff Eaton on TV, talking about Shave for the Brave. He decided then and there that he wanted to high five every single Shaver, so he made the long and harrowing journey to St. John’s, Newfoundland. Razor landed in St. John’s in February 2015, walked into the YACC office, and offered to represent the Shave for the Brave. Once Geoff Eaton crawled out from under his desk, he realized Razor was a kind lion so he ordered him a Shave shirt. The rest is history.

Team member since

2015

Favourite song?

"Uptown Funk"

Favourite place in the world?

Africa

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

Wash my mane, practice my dance moves, and work on perfecting my high fives.

What are your words of wisdom/favourite quote?

“Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble.” – Mufasa

What attracted you to YACC?

How awesome they are. I was literally born to work there.

What are people always surprised to learn about you?

I’m a vegetarian.

What were you like as a kid?

Ridiculously adorable.

What’s your hidden talent?

Speaking audibly.

What was your favourite experience at YACC?

Every School Shave is so special to me. I love high fiving the awesome kids who shave their heads and cut their hair, but I think my favourite moment was at the 2015 St. John’s Community Shave when I finally got my name. I love being Razor.

About Robyn Davis

Robyn is a graduate of Memorial University’s Bachelor of Business program and a CMA associate of the CMA Alberta accelerated program. She has recently just finished her term as a Board of Trade Ambassador and now uses her free time to ride her motorcycle. Robyn has been connected to YACC since 2018 with other organizations through Shave for the Brave, and is SUPER excited to now be part of the team.

Hometown

Mount Pearl, NL

Team member since

2022

Attended

A few Shaves for the Brave.

Favourite place in the world?

Rome! Particularly the food and weather.

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

I believe in being well balanced so you can find me teaching a spin class or taking a nap.

What are people always surprised to learn about you?

That I have my bus license.

About Sherry Del Rizzo

Sherry is a graduate of Memorial University’s Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Sociology), has two post graduate degrees in Computer Science and Aquaculture and is currently enrolled in Memorial’s Masters of Technology program. With a diverse background in marketing, fundraising, communications, sales, project and relationship management in a variety of environments, she enjoys learning about just nearly everything. Sherry is passionate about connecting people to opportunities that will enhance their life.

Team member since

2019

Favourite place in the world?

It’s a tie – Western Bay, NL, just about any ski hill in the world or any body of water!

What do you do when you’re not at YACC?

My husband and I spend a lot of time at rinks watching our youngest skate her heart out or making our way to our little salt box in Western Bay, planning our next ski trip, or making our way anywhere where there is water or snow!

What are your words of wisdom/favourite quote?

"My will shall shape my future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny." - Elaine Maxwell

What attracted you to YACC?

The opportunity to be part of an organization that is focused on empowerment and growth, to be part of an organization that is helping young adults living with a cancer diagnosis live a better life one day at a time in such beautiful ways, and the many opportunities for connecting people that comes with being part of this organization.

What are people always surprised to learn about you?

That I love to sleep! Leading a full and active lifestyle leaves me longing for extra zzzzs.