Connection

“When I found YACC, I felt connected and like I matter. I started to believe in myself. I had finally found my home.”

Cancer doesn’t know age

Kirsten writes from first-hand experience about how AYAs are underrepresented in research funding, receive delayed diagnoses, and face different challenges than pediatric or “adults” with cancer.

Creating legacies while dealing with cancer

Emily outlines three processes she uses to continue to share moments with her sister, Sarah, although she is no longer here.

Fear

“I was expecting that the call would let me know that the biopsy results came back normal. I remember hearing the person on the phone say I had two thyroid nodules; one was cancerous and the other one was suspected to be cancerous.”

A thief like no other

In this poem, Michaela writes to her cancer to make sure it knows where it stands.

8 creative mental health practices for YAs affected by cancer (Part 2)

In part 2 of this discussion, Gabrielle covers four practices young adults affected by cancer can use to improve their mental health.

Lessons I have learned: Part 1

YACCtivist Lindsay writes a letter to her past self, outlining the emotional ride her cancer diagnosis will lead them on.

“The tragedy was losing you, my past self, but the victory is rediscovering who I am meant to be and what my true role in this world is.”

The cabbage patch

YACCtivist Nicole chronicles her thoughts during a day of treatment.

Dear March 18

“You come around year after year as if just another day. And yet, you are nothing like the others.”

Cancer, the magnifying glass

“I was an artist with nearly three decades of expertise promoting my anxiety unwittingly. Through the magnifying glass of cancer I have been developing a toolkit so that it doesn’t define me.”

Mental health, addictions, and cancer

“I don’t feel like myself anymore. I haven’t felt like myself since my cancer diagnosis, which was in 2017. I feel like I am pounding my head against a wall trying to get better.”

Ten things I have learned over 23 years of cancer

“Here are my top things I have learned from 23 years of cancer (in no particular order).”

8 creative mental health practices for YAs affected by cancer (Part 1)

In part 1 of this discussion, Gabrielle covers four practices young adults affected by cancer can use to improve their mental health.

Being treated for cancer as a person of colour is different

In her latest blog post, YACCtivist Charlene shares examples of how being a person of colour impacted her cancer experience, and what she did to overcome additional challenges.

I won’t back down

Jay takes us on a journey through his thoughts as he asks questions about changes in his body and gets the results.