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 Gabrielle Fecteau

Gabrielle is a graduate of the Master of Social Work program at the University of Ottawa. Diagnosed with cancer herself in 2015, she has oriented her recent studies, volunteer work, and professional experiences towards creating a space for young adults affected by cancer to thrive. For many years now, her dream -- now come true -- has been to work for YACC. Gabrielle is always ready to show up for the community that gave her a way to connect during her own challenging experiences with cancer.

Hometown

From Timmins, ON, currently living life in Ottawa, ON

Team member since

2020

Attended

A few Retreat Yourselfs, a Survivor Conference, Localife Ottawa events, YACCtivism opportunities, weekly YACC Web: Chats, and Quarantine with Karine Talks all as a participant, a volunteer, and, now, as a YACC staff member.

What are your words of wisdom/favourite quote?

"Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity." -James Clear

What were you like as a kid?

I have always been introspective -- very much in my head, creating narratives and solving problems. From an early age, human beings have always fascinated me.

What was your favourite experience at YACC?

I look back fondly at my first Retreat Yourself with YACC back in 2018 for many reasons. One of them being that I knew within the first hours of that weekend in the woods that YACC was home. I couldn’t have been more right.

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 Newfoundland and Labrador Cancer Control Advisory Committee, has participated on numerous cancer related boards and working groups and is on temporary sabbatical from coaching minor hockey. He spends personal time riding his motorcycle with his wife, Karen; playing “jungle-gym Daddy” with daughters, Adia and Mira and son Kane; staying healthy with weight training 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 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.

About Laurie Reid

Laurie has a BA in Biblical and Theological Studies and has a Medical Office Assistant Certificate. She has a wide range of administrative skills gained from working in doctors' offices, post-secondary institutions, and other non-profit organizations. Laurie loves engaging with people and has a strong desire to serve others. She is very excited to be a part of the YACC team.

Hometown

South Dildo, NL, now living in St. John’s

Team member since

2021

Attended

Survivor Conference 2021: Chance

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

Books: Historical fiction and mystery (no one favourite). Movie: The Sound Of Music (I love old movies!) Sports team: I’m a Leaf’s fan. Favourite place in the world: Home. There’s no place like home.

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

When not at YACC, I enjoy baking, playing board games, and hanging out with family and friends. I also enjoy quad rides in the woods, stopping by a pond for a fire and cup of tea.

What attracted you to YACC?

I was attracted to YACC’s mission to support, connect, and inspire and to journey with young adults who are living with/through/beyond the reality of cancer. I knew in my heart that I had to be a part of that!

What are people always surprised to learn about you?

I love animals! As a kid I always said that when I grew up I was going to be a farmer with lots of animals.

Which superpower would you like to have?

Teleportation so I could see my family and friends who live away whenever I want. For now, FaceTime will have to do!

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 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.