Links

This section provides links to a wide variety of sites that young adult cancer survivors, supporters or those simply looking for information relating to young adult cancer may find helpful or interesting.

If you know of a great site relating to young adult cancer that isn’t in our list, we’d love to know about it. You can let us know by emailing us with the link at connect@youngadultcancer.ca

Cancer Blogs

100 Cancer Resolutions: Stephanie Sliekers writes about taking time to enjoy and indulge.

Aaron Outward: Personal Reflections of Aaron’s journey forward.

The Adventure of Baldylocks: A blog about life after cancer and so much more!

Alicia’s Story: Alicia Parlette was diagnosed with cancer at 23-years old. This site tells her story in a continuing series.

The Bald & The Beautiful: The blog description says, "Katie Evans is funny, social, and outgoing and doesn't plan on letting breast cancer get in the way of any of that. Newly diagnosed at 26 she is going through chemotherapy with her boyfriend of 5 years along for the ride."

Blue Butterfly: Nadia Hohn is sharing her experiences as she deals with Thyroid cancer. She makes playlists, writes candidly, and includes lots of pictures to keep it interesting.

Cancer: A Spiritual Journey: A young man’s adventure with Leukemia.

The Cancer Blog: Covering cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Dear Thyroid: Written by and for thyroid (disease/cancer) patients, and their families. A place for everyone to share, learn, and grow.

Dream Creator: This started out as a personal blog about my desire to move to Mexico, four entries in, I found my lump. Now I blog about being a 30-year old, mother of two, with breast cancer.

The Great Balancing Act: Susan was a journalist, became a personal trainer, and is now a cancer warrior from her hospital in New Brunswick. That's a lot of accomplishments for a 25-year-old, but she tackles her challenges with gusto, family, and the Internet. Her blog offers great healthy living ideas (mostly from her pre-cancer days), and great insight on the treatment experience.

I think I will go for a walk: My journey learning a new normal with cancer, by Natalie Love.

Life changes in the blink of an eye: Jamie was 21 when she found out she had leukemia in July 2009. Her profile says, "Up until then I was an athletic, carefree young adult. I had played hockey since I was six and was very fit. My life literally changed in the blink of an eye that July evening."

Life to the Full: Living Life One Run, Bite, & Experience at a Time: A wonderful Blog from Bonnie Lang who is the supporter and wife of a survivor and also a personal trainer. Her blog talks about health, food, fun, and life. 

The Lymphoma Lowdown: Robin says she is a "blessed nerd with a song in my heart." She blogs about her experience as a 20-something Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor in a real, and inspiring way.

Mom’s Cancer: Mom’s Cancer is the true tale of one mother’s battle with metastatic lung cancer through comic strips. The story focuses on how a serious illness affects patients and their families, both practically and emotionally.

Obsessed with Life: Rachel is a 27-year old artist, writer, inspirational speaker, traveler, wife, and a 3-time survivor of Askin’s tumor of the spinal cord.

Sick Tips: Michelle was diagnosed in July 2011 with stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. In her "info" section, she says, "I am only 20 years old, and before this experience had never even given cancer a second thought. Now my life revolves around it."

Silverlupus: Life thru cancer and other hiccups: Julie Michaud is a Breast cancer survivor with a wicked sense of humour and a knack for telling it like it is.

Steffiellie: One girl's thoughts on cancer and life.

Team April’s Breast Cancer: Cancer doesn’t play. You must put on your game face. Call in the troops. Use every weapon in your arsenal, and take no prisoners, because your survival depends on your ability to fight for your life, and your belief that it’s worth fighting for.

2011: Don't be afraid to jump: Follow your dreams and live in the moment. What else is there to do? Jen, a young and inspiring survivor shares her discoveries, lessons, and emotions about her journey in life.

Wrong Way to Hope: A film about the journey cancer survivors took on a Survive & Thrive Expedition.

Communities

2Y4C: Too young for cancer: Tara has started a social cancer support group for people between 18 and 45 in the Stratford, ON area. "Cancer be damned; we’re going to have fun anyway! Activities include tea times, car shows, beach days, pub nights, etc."

Alli’s Journey: Alli’s Journey is a non-profit organization which raises funds for a network of support groups that provide critical care, counseling & assistance to young adults coping with cancer.

American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network: A website with tons of info, articles and profiles of patients of all ages.

Breast Cancer Action Nova Scotia: Great Forums for those dealing with Breast Cancer.

Breast Cancer Now What? : A website developed by young women with breast cancer, for young women with breast cancer, in hopes that it will provide information, inspiration, hope, and a sense of community.

Callanish Society: A small, grassroots non-profit organization in Vancouver, BC dedicated to improving the emotional and spiritual health of our communities by assisting families with cancer, and their health care providers, to explore illness and/or death openly and consciously. Weeklong retreats and ongoing support programs are offered by a team of health care professionals and volunteers who believe that communities can develop resilience in the face of illness and healing, loss and death, by coming together in a process of authentic dialogue and in an in-depth exploration of what it means to heal emotionally and spiritually while living with, or dying from, cancer.

Canadian Cancer Survivor Network: The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) is a national network of patients, families, survivors, friends, community partners, funders and sponsors who have come together to take action to promote the very best standards of care, whether it be early diagnosis, timely treatment and follow-up care, support for cancer patients, or issues related to survivorship or quality of end of life care.

CancerChatCanada: CancerChatCanada offers free online support groups to survivors and their family and friends who are caring for persons with cancer to provide emotional support and a safe place to discuss personal topics. The groups are facilitated by a professional psychosocial oncology counselor and consist of six to eight participants. Discussions focus on common experiences, concerns, and questions and members are encouraged to speak openly and to support each other.

Cancer Network: The purpose of this network is to get the message out to the public about cancer in young adults.

Cancer View Canada: connects Canadians to online services, information and resources for cancer control. It is an ever-evolving portal that brings together resources for cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and supportive, palliative and end-of-life care; specifically it includes a database of support services and clinical trials, among other resources.

Cancer Wise: A monthly online magazine which features articles and interviews about all kinds of Cancer.

CanSupport/Faire Face: Cedars CanSupport was founded in 1988 with the mission to provide cancer patients and their families with practical, educational, emotional and humanitarian support.Our team of professional staff and trained volunteers, many of whom are cancer survivors, are here for you at each step along your cancer journey. Our programs and services are free-of-charge and easily accessible through our Resource Centres at the Royal Victoria and Montreal General Hospitals.

CanTeen: CanTeen is an Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer (aged 12-24). CanTeen's mission is to support, develop and empower young people living with cancer.

Caring Voices: Caring Voices is an online community for cancer survivors. You can use this site to access current resources, learn about upcoming survivorship events, take part in chats and discussions and meet other survivors just like you.

Chasing Rainbows: Young Adults Living With Cancer This upbeat documentary film Chasing Rainbows: Young Adults Living With Cancer, is a dynamic, intimate portrayal of six young people who are "living life while fighting for it."

ChildCan: A support group focused on making the burden of childhood cancer a little less painful for families in order to make the treatment process easier.

Daniel McLellan Memorial Fund : A memorial fund designed to make a difference in the lives of children battling leukemia.

Don’t Be A Schmuck: A testicular cancer awareness site.

Gilda’s Club: An emotional and social support community for people living with cancer. Non-profit clubs exist throughout North America.

Hope & Cope: Hope & Cope helps people cope with cancer. Guided by professional staff, cancer-experienced volunteers provide psychosocial support and practical resources that help patients regain a sense of control and well-being, reduce isolation and restore hope. Easily accessible and open to all, Hope & Cope is funded by the community and is located at the Jewish General Hospital's Segal Cancer Centre and the JGH Hope & Cope Wellness Centre in Montreal, Qc.

i[2]y - ImTooYoungForThis: A site that is dedicated to connecting adolescents and young adults with cancer with trusted and credible cancer survivorship information, human resources and psychosocial support services.

Imerman Angels: A not-for-profit organization that provides One-on-One Cancer Support: Connecting Cancer Fighters, Survivors and Caregivers.

Inspire Health: InspireHealth is a not-for-profit society in British Columbia that provides an integrated cancer care program for people with cancer and their families.

Life With Cancer: Can help you meet the challenges of living with cancer by providing you and your loved ones with education, information and support, free of charge, no matter where you live or receive treatment. Explore the many ways that Life with Cancer can make your day-to-day life easier and help you connect with a community of people who face many of the same challenges you do.

LIVESTRONG: Advice, stories and articles for Cancer survivors.

Lymphoma Info: A website featuring information on many aspects related with dealing with Lymphoma. 

My Parents Cancer: An Australian website with articles, profiles, and information for supporters of Breast Cancer.

Nanny Angel Network: This volunteer organization provides safe, qualified nannies for up to five hours a week so mothers can attend appointments and/or find some time to relax, heal, and regroup.

Now What: is a website for young people living with cancer, those who have a sibling, parent or friend with cancer, or whose sibling, parent or friend has died from cancer.

Planet Cancer: Tips, humor and a great forum.

Radioactive Runner: Sabrina says she is "a runner, a wife, a stepmother and a cancer survivor. Hablo español and parlo italiano. I run hard, eat well, and I am trying to live better everyday because we only have one chance at this adventure called life." Check out her blog to follow her story and get some great tips on staying healthy along the way!

Rethink Breast Cancer: Launched in 2001, Rethink Breast Cancer is a national charity focused on research, education and support for young women in their 20s, 30s and 40s that are living with and recovering from breast cancer. Rethink provides savvy support programs that respond to young women's unique needs.

riprap: A British website with articles, profiles, and support information for teens whose parents have Cancer.

Sharsheret: A National not-for-profit organization (USA) of cancer survivors dedicated to addressing the unique challenges facing young Jewish woman living with breast cancer.

Team Shan: Team Shan was named for Shanna (Shan) Larsen who was only 24 when she lost her life to breast cancer.  Team Shan is committed to raising awareness about breast cancer and young women.

Teens Living With Cancer: A website with info, articles and a forum for both patients and supporters.

The Angels Anonymous Connection: A Canadian registered charity focused on fulfilling the dreams of terminally ill adults.

The Canadian Testicular Cancer Association: A community-based organization dedicated to bring awareness and educating to the public about Testicular Cancer.

The Stupid Cancer Show!: Listen to I’m Too Young For This’s Stupid Cancer Show - Finally giving a voice to young adults affected by cancer.

The Weathervane Foundation: The Weathervane Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit corporation based in Texas that is committed to aiding the support and funding of breast cancer research.

Thyroid Cancer Canada: Whether you have just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, have been living with it for years, or are a family member or friend of someone with the disease, this site will be helpful. Contact Rita Banach at
(416) 487-8267 or rbanach@thyroidcancercanada.org if you have any further questions.

Vital Options: Vital Options: Support For Young Adults With Cancer, a resource for this special patient population.

Willow: Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada, founded in 1994, is a national not-for-profit organization that provides free support and information to anyone affected by breast cancer.

Young (Cancer) Spouses: A site with information to help spouses deal with cancer.

Young Adult Cancer Network: A support group from Vancouver, BC for young adults facing a cancer challenge.

Conferences/Retreats

Camp Mak-A-Dream: Camp Mak-A-Dream is a medically-supervised, cost free experience for children and young adults with cancer and are a blend of education and recreation.

First Descents: First Descents is a free, seven-day kayak camp for young adults with cancer.

Skills for Healing Weekend Retreat: A combination of teaching presentations and practical exercises to help you feel able to view these changes with less anxiety and to approach your challenges in a more positive way.

Survive & Thrive Adventures Inc.: A Canadian organization whose mission is to help young adult survivors of severe illness or injury identify, process and apply life lessons through adventure activities.

Medical/Technical Information

Blood & Marrow Transplant Resources: A portal for information, resources & encouragement for those having or considering a bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant.

Canadian Blood Services: Information on donating blood products.

Chemo Care: The latest chemo information for cancer patients and their families, caregivers and friends.

Current Oncology: A site featuring oncology articles and information.

Fertile Future: Provides fertility preservation information and support services to Canadian cancer patients and their families who are facing fertility-risking medical treatment, as well as oncology professionals.

Fertile HOPE: Information for cancer patients faced with infertility.

MyOncofertility.org: Contains expert videos and survivors stories and informs patients about the potential effect of cancer treatments on their fertility and their options to preserve it.

My Cancer Advisor: Dr. Charles M. Balch is an internationally recognized surgeon and oncologist with over 34 years of clinical and academic experience and a leading authority in melanoma and breast cancer. MyCancerAdvisor.com is the inspired creation of Dr. Balch. His vision is to create the premier cancer blog for unique insights from leading experts so that visitors will be empowered to better understand and confront this disease.

OneMatch Stem Cell & Marrow Network: Information on becomming a bone marrow donor.

Online Cancer Guide: Designed to be a valuable tool for patients and members of the public who are seeking dependable information related to cancer, treatments and services.

Patient Resource: On this site, you will find patient focused information. We have worked to bring you many encouraging stories of survival.  Be sure to review them as you progress on your journey (mainly USA).

Steve Dunn’s Cancer Guide: A comprehensive guide to cancer.

Survivorship Guidelines - CureSearch : Long-term follow-up guidelines for survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancers.

Canadian Virtual Hospice: The Canadian Virtual Hospice provides support and personalized information about palliative and end-of-life care to patients, family members, health care providers, researchers and educators.

McGill AYA Oncology Program: a program for patients 18-39 years of age; providing access to necessary health-care professionals and services to meet their unique needs. Patients are from Montreal and surrounding regions of Quebec.