Joan Frampton was pregnant with her second child when her husband, Justin, was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer in February 2016. They lived life hard over the next few months, spending time with friends and family, welcoming their daughter in August, raising their young son.
Justin almost lost the ability to walk when he was first diagnosed, but through his determination and drive, he was soon back on the golf course, playing Ultimate Frisbee, and even celebrating the fact that he was able to mow the lawn.
“During the whole journey he lived his life on his terms, and Young Adult Cancer Canada [YACC] helped make that possible,” said Joan. “YACC was there for us from the beginning.”
After connecting with YACC, Justin was featured during Brave Day 2016, shared his story at various events, and made a lasting impression during the 2016 Climb on Signal Hill when he brought a Price Is Right-themed entourage, complete with a Drew Carey, contestants, and him and his brothers in “Cliffhanger”-inspired lederhosen!
“I connected with YACC from the beginning and found a community of great people I could really relate to… At the Ice Cancer Conference, I got to meet another young person living with the disease that I have. He started school in September, and I think that’s inspirational,” Justin said before we headed up Signal Hill.
Justin was hilarious, honest, and everybody’s best friend. Sadly, he passed away last November.
Since then, Joan has been figuring out what it means to be an adult, a mother, and an individual without her high school sweetheart. She has a wide, supportive community that tries to help where possible, but they don’t really know what it’s like to deal with a young family and a new career when your partner has cancer, or lose your partner in your early 30s. That’s where YACC comes in.
“My situation may be unique but I am not alone. I was the only person pregnant at the cancer center. No other rooms in palliative care had a bassinet. I am the youngest widow in my support group,” she said. “Through YACC, I was able to connect with other young adults facing the same challenges. Those new friends couldn’t change Justin’s diagnosis, but they changed our lives. Today, they are helping me find my way forward without him.”
YACC offers national, local, and digital programs for young adults dealing with cancer, from four- and five-day retreats and conferences, to a 24/7 online community. Some people, like Justin and Joan, know they need to get in touch with YACC right away, others reach out years or months later. No matter what, YACC has their backs.
But those programs wouldn’t be possible without the support of generous supporters around the country, most notably from Newfoundland and Labrador.
YACC is currently in its 12th Shave for the Brave season; fundraising events are being held in schools, offices, salons, hockey rinks, and a few other unique spots in support of the programs it offers. People of all ages are signing up to raise money and shave their heads, or donate at least 10-inches of hair. It’s amazing to see the very direct link between compassionate people collecting donations and the impact it makes on the life of a young adult dealing with cancer.
And that’s what YACC’s here for. Cancer doesn’t stop with chemo’s last drop, and there are few support groups and resources out there to help young adults deal with the psychosocial effects. They need guidance to figure out how to live with, through and beyond cancer, and they need a community to turn to as life continues to challenge them.
YACC is that community.
If you know anyone dealing with cancer between the ages of 15-39, please ask them to get in touch through [email protected].
If you are interested in learning more about Shave for the Brave, visit shaveforthebrave.ca.
Any cancer, any stage, YACC has their backs.
#BraveDay2017
