YACC Live

Joseph Neale (host)

My name is Joseph Neale (32). I was diagnosed with lung cancer days before my 21st birthday. I live in Toronto, Ontario and will be hosting this years YACC Live!

On my path through recovery, I’ve learned that even though we may face negative coincidences, we can make the most of them by turning them into positive outcomes! For instance, do the thing you thought you couldn’t do. Some people live life without ever LIVING!

You can find me @joiiTV!

Ashley Wendland (Morine)

Ashley was diagnosed with ocular melanoma at age 27.

Originally from St. John’s, NL and now living in Brisbane, Australia, Ashley will chat with fellow YACCer, Greet, about recovery and how to navigate it overseas.

“Cancer will always be part of my life, but it doesn’t have to define (or restrict) me.”

Find Ashley on Instagram: @ashwendland

Carolyn Van

Carolyn was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was 28.

Now, a decade later, the Toronto-based YACCer is actively engaged in many areas of the organization including sharing her story, being a Recover Study Leadership Team member, and more.

Up next: Catch her hanging out with a fellow survivor, chit chatting life after cancer. Shifts, observations, and some lessons learned.

Carolyn said one valuable lesson she learned on the path to recovery was “certainty and security in life are fallacies. When I was able to observe and face what was happening, loosen up my tight grip, and accept this, this was when I felt most powerful and free.”

You can find her @carolynvan on most social networks!

Dani Roulette

Dani was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at age 30.

During YACC Live, she will read some  excerpts crafted during a recent Writing It Out! session.

Dani said, “I’ve learned that being Anishinaabe is my greatest source of strength and power.”

Visit her Instagram profile for a sneak peek of her writing!  @thunderbirdwomanreads

Dani Taylor

Dani was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 23.

During YACC Live, Dani will share some info the efforts she’s putting into healing her mind/body connection.

Dani said one of the most valuable lessons she has learned on the way to recovery is “grief can also be a friend.”

Greet Kallikorm

Greet was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35 — and again at 36.

She recently moved from Quebec to Kyoto, and will join Ashley during YACC Live to chat about travelling and “living life as you wish after diagnosis.”

Taking a cue from Mary Oliver, Greet says the path to recovery has led her to answer the question of “…what is it you plan to do. With your one wild and precious life?”

Follow Greet on Instagram: @greetk

Karl-Erik Sonvisen

Karl-Erik was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma at age 6 and as blind at age 16.

During YACC Live, he will take part in a casual conversation with Carolyn from his home in BC about the life changing epiphanies gained from a nearly three-decade cancer experience (super casual, nothing serious).

One of the lessons Karl-Erik learned on the road to Recovery is, “the universe does not happen to you, it just happens,  so the sooner we give up regret and resentment, the sooner we can actually live!”

Find him on social media: Facebook | Twitter