Young Adult Cancer Canada: We Get It

In this episode, Alex and Gerald share experiences with volunteering and events within YACC, and why it's been so important for both of them to give back! Gerald also shares the multi-faceted approach to fundraising and volunteer work, whether it's within the cancer community or more broadly, and how it's defined who he is. — Gerald Mak is currently a strategy manager within the Ontario Government (Crown Agency). Prior to joining the public sector, Gerald worked in various financial and professional institutions with roles in risk, communications, and technology. With over 15 years in community service, he has volunteered and served on various boards and advisory committees including St. John Ambulance, City of Toronto, Toronto District School Board, Digital Media Zone, Big Brothers and Sisters of Toronto, Toronto Police Service, Ryerson University, University Health Network, and Junior Achievement Ontario. Gerald is extremely passionate about his community and the well-being of others. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's episode, Alex and YACCer Harman chat about Harman's diagnosis of sarcoma during his high school days, and how dealing with that emotionally and physically at a young age affected him. Harman touches on how he's utilized mindfulness, meditation, and reframing your perspective on life to navigate his world through multiple cancer diagnoses, and where he is at as a result today. — Harman describes himself as a: Brother. Friend. Cancer Survivor. Old Soul. Biker. Raptors Fan. Spiritual Human. Artist.   Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!

This week's episode of We Get It features a chat with Joe Bakhmoutski, founder and champion of Simplify Cancer. Joe said, “Going through cancer forced me to have a long, hard look at myself and my life. I did not like some things, and some things no longer fit, so I adapted to be more present with the people I care about the most, and rediscovered my sense of purpose through helping others who want to lead a happier, more fulfilled life after cancer. I believe we can choose the way we live our life, to seek greater clarity in everything that we do, to show up at our best every single day, and hold on to hope that despite the struggle, things can — and do — change for the better!” LINKS: Finding Hope In Times Of Uncertainty Simplify Cancer Podcast Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

In this week's episode, Alex chats with fellow YACCtivist Heather Brown about her role advocating for the cancer community's resources, sharing her story, and all of the important human occupations that deserve more attention! The two also touch on parenting and how a cancer diagnosis is brought to light to children from a parent's perspective. — HEATHER'S BIO: I identify as an English Canadian, and am married with two children. I am a thyroid cancer survivor, enjoy watching rom coms and superhero movies, a lover of many types of music, and someone who is driven to care for others and strives to be involved and volunteer to help make a difference in the community. Through my cancer journey, I dealt with isolation, fear of recurrence, and anxiety. As a YACCtivist, I am eager to help fellow AYAs to feel supported and help create more awareness about their AYA cancer experience. In the episode, Heather has shoulder length brown hair. She is wearing a blue shirt. She is sitting in her home office. You can check out all of the videos on YouTube or website! Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

In this week's episode, Alex's mother/caregiver/supporter, Val Mandarino, joins him for a chat. You can check out all of the videos on YouTube or website! Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

A familiar face joins the We Get It program this week as Kayla Tremblett joins Alex to discuss her introduction to YACC and how she quickly stepped into a leadership volunteer role after taking so much away from the inclusive programming. The two also touch on their Localife experiences and how cancer played a role in Kayla's entrepreneur ventures! -LINKS- Localife Simple Ritual Candles This Infernal Racket — Kayla identifies as an Estonian-Canadian pansexual female, currently in a relationship. “I like to tell people I was in my prime before cancer. I was energetic, busy and happy but definitely naive. I was active, loved nutrition and fitness, very social and really was just living life.” When Kayla was diagnosed and faced a two-and-a-half year treatment protocol as well as years of recovery, she felt alone, lost, and disconnected. “It was not until 2017, about one-and-a-half years after I had finished my treatment that I finally was able to start my healing process. I really struggled with PTSD, depression and anxiety in the first four years of my recovery. I still struggle but I now have a strong sense of myself, who and what is important in life. I am still working on myself, and working through my emotions from cancer, but I am a better person than I ever was, and I take every day as a gift.” You can check out all of the videos on YouTube or website! Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

In this week's episode, Alex and Insight team member Nick have “quite an interesting conversation.” Nick is new to the YACC community, but is someone with such a bright light radiating around him, and a lot of unique aspects to his story. He and Alex tackle how cancer affected him mentally, and how infertility played a role in him ultimately deciding to become a foster parent. An incredibly touching interview outlines that you won't want to pass up! — Nick identifies as a Canadian of settler decent. He says he grew up in a home with two loving parents that supported him in every way. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 21 and again 10 years later when he was 31, and considers himself “lucky because both times I only needed an orchiectomy and no further treatments.” Nick loves art and lives an active lifestyle, both of which have helped him process the experience of having cancer twice. He said, “I waited 12 years before connecting with group therapy and feeling the healing power of shared stories. I am passionate about helping others and reaching out to those who may be suffering in silence.” Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

In this episode, Daniel and Alex dive into a topic that doesn't get a lot of traction in the cancer community — comedy! They discuss how Daniel, a comedian and actor, incorporates his craft into his cancer experience, and how he managed to create a one-man show and write a book about it. You do NOT want to miss this episode! — Canadian Comedy Award Winner, Daniel Stolfi, is an established actor, comedian and cancer patient advocate. In March of 2008 Daniel was diagnosed with acute Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer requiring equally aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments over the next two years of his life. Through his ongoing battle with the disease, Daniel created his simultaneously heart warming and hysterical Canadian Comedy Award winning one-person show, Cancer Can't Dance Like This. To date, the show has been performed over forty times in almost every major city across Canada, has helped raise over $100,000 for health-related charities and organizations, and even made its Off-Broadway debut in New York City. Although the staged version of Cancer Can't Dance Like This is no longer in production, Daniel has recently penned a raw, funny and heart-warming memoir called The Comedian Vs. Cancer, which recounts his two year battle with cancer, while finding hope and love in places he never could have imagined. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

Alyssa and Alex break down some of the goals and expectations of YACC's newly formed Insight team, and discuss the importance of family throughout a cancer journey, how to navigate the ever-changing world of cancer with your loved ones, and what Alyssa's goals are as a self-proclaimed “YACC graduate.”  — Alyssa (she/her) Canadian, of British descent, is a young adult myeloma advocate and blogger in her mid 40s. She is a stay at home mom parenting a spirited six-year-old with her husband in Toronto, ON. Alyssa is thoughtful and kind and always ready to lend a hand to those who need it. Alyssa was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2010 at age 32, after several years of missed diagnoses and an exhaustive search for answers. Roadblocks to accessing proper care included her gender and age. She was initially treated with chemotherapy, followed by an autologous stem cell transplant, and enjoyed a five-year remission before her relapse and further treatment. Alyssa connected with Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) in 2012 at Retreat Yourself West. Since then, she has participated in most of YACC's programs (Survivor Conference, Localife, private Facebook groups, and YACC Chats). Being a part of YACC empowered Alyssa to identify and speak up for her needs as a YA patient, and she wants to help YACC grow so every YA patient in Canada gets that same chance. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this episode, Alex and Blair discuss how to navigate relationships (both new and old) when factoring in a cancer diagnosis. Friendships, dating, and demographics are all affected, and Blair shares his experience with his romantic life and close friends, and how he introduced cancer to all parties, leading him to how happy he is today. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this series possible!

In the season 2 finale, we will get to know Micah as he shares about his life before cancer, with cancer, and where he is today. He will also talk about how receiving love and support affected his experience. His energy is contagious — you'll just have to watch it to see for yourself! Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's episode, Greg Youden, Financial Planning Consultant with CIBC, will discuss general, useful budgeting techniques. He explains how the current pandemic could be impacting your finances, what financial aid is available, and how to take control of our finances regardless of where we are in life. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this series possible!

In this episode of We Get It, Kirsten tells her story of receiving cancer diagnoses at age 10, 14, and 28. She had to find a way to push through, learn to self-advocate, and cope with the fear of recurrence. Kirsten is a beloved YACC community member who is connected to various other organization, and her involvement makes this world a better place. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this series possible!

Did you know that the gut is where an estimated 90 per cent of our serotonin (a chemical involved in regulating mood, appetite and sleep) is made? In this week's episode, Erin Roman, dietician at InspireHealth in BC, explores the foundations of nutrition and shares simple strategies for helping to support our mental wellbeing with nutrition. She will also explain practices that can be simple, affordable, and delicious, and share easy recipes and simple steps! Thank you to our partners at CIBC and our friends at InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care for making this episode possible!

This week on We Get It, hear the touching story of Dylan and his friends and supporters, Craig and Leah. Dylan was diagnosed with Grade 4 Diffuse Midline Glioma and died on July 4, 2020. His life, cut too short, has left a permanent mark on all of our hearts. This episode gives us access to Dylan's energy, sense of humour, resiliency, and how the support of Craig and Leah who stood by his side through thick and thin made a world of difference all the way to the end. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this series possible.

On this episode of We Get It, Elizabeth Payne presents on the basics of cancer-related brain fog: what we know, what we don't know, and how cognitive rehabilitation can help. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this series possible.

This week on We Get It, we get to know Ashley who was diagnosed with ocular melanoma four years ago while living in Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. Getting cancer as a young adult is hard; being diagnosed in a remote area comes with a bunch of additional challenges. Join us to hear what this meant for Ashley and how she coped with the uncertainty. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this series possible.

This week on We Get It, Scott Adams takes us on a ride exploring exercise in the context of cancer. The side effects and health risks associated with cancer treatments are complex and can be difficult to prevent and treat; exercise therapy may be the most effective way to control these risks and help take control of your life. Join us to learn more about these risks and explore personalized strategies for harnessing the protective power of exercise. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this series possible.

In this episode of We Get It, Sarah talks about being diagnosed with a myxoid liposarcoma tumour in right arm, and Nancy talks about supporting her as well as she can. Sarah has been living with the multiple challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis as a young adult, and Nancy has been experiencing the struggles that accompany supporting someone she cares about with cancer. This is a story of friendship, love, and resilience. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this series possible.

In this week's episode, our friends at Canadian Virtual Hospice, Ceilidh Eaton Russell, Austin Bernier, and Danielle Saj speak of legacy making and digital estate planning. In this day an age, we all have multiple online accounts, apps, subscriptions, etc. How can we insure things are organized in a way that makes sense? This is what Austin will talk about in the first part of the episode. In the second part, Ceilidh talks about the different ways we can build a meaningful legacy. Thank you to our partners at Canadian Virtual Hospice and CIBC for making this episode possible.

In this episode, YACCer Morgan talks about how cancer has impacted their life and how connecting with her peers and volunteering helped return some control. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

We Get It is back for season 2 — a series of presentations and sessions from previous events which have not yet been shared publicly. We hope you enjoy catching up on what you missed (or what you have been hoping to revisit) over the next 12 weeks. In this episode, Fiona Schulte, Karine Chalifour, and Geoff Eaton deliver the results from the YAC Prime Study. Young adults do get cancer, it's different when they do, and we're here to tell you why.  Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

In this episode of We Get It, Karine continues her chat with Jay Abramovitch. They focus on his personal experience with PTSD prior to cancer, and how he is using tools he learned about back then to help in the present. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

On this week's episode of We Get It, Karine talks with Jay Abramovitch. Jay was diagnosed with colon cancer in his mid-30s during the pandemic and is learning to navigate his way through it with the help of his peers. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

On this week's episode of We Get It, Karine talks with Lyne Poirier-Lorusso, Ottawa Program Coordinator of Kids Kicking Cancer Canada (Heroes Circle). Together, they practice some breath work techniques to help you cope with stress and to empower you when facing challenges. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series! 

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine chats with Krista on her experience with cancer, including life before cancer, with cancer, and where she is today. She shares some of what has helped her and continues to help her along the road. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine talks with Katie Sevalrud of Knight's Cabin about its Walk It Out project, and the benefits of nature. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

Karine talks with long time YACCers Nicole and Chris Dunne about family planning, more specifically, their path towards adoption. They share with us their cancer story and also what led them to want to adopt a child, the steps they took, the ups and downs, the learnings, the discoveries, and the hope. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine talks with Christine Skakum -- nurse, program facilitator, supporter, and longtime friend of YACC. Together they discuss the challenges that healthcare providers, patients, and families are facing during the pandemic. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine spends some time with Blair and together they discuss quality of life. The YAC Prime Study has found some significant differences in the quality of life (physical and mental) of young adults with cancer compared to their peers without cancer. Blair shares with us what this means to him. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

This week on We Get It, Karine talks with YACCtivist Marley on body image issues. Together they will take a moment to review the findings from the YAC Prime Study on this topic and dig into Marley's story. A little bit of information, a lot of inspiration! Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine speaks with Shanna about her cancer experience and fear of cancer recurrence. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine chats with YACC community member Amber about becoming an end of life doula, what that role entails, and the impact it had on Amber's life. Join us as we talk about how to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine chats with YACC community member Kai about mental health and distress. Kai identifies as Trans-Masculine and Disabled. "I have been legally blind since birth and also live with mental illness and Fibromyalgia. I'm currently studying social service work part-time and I enjoy volunteering for organizations that have helped me along my journey." Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's episode, Karine talks with nurse practitioner and psychotherapist Bonney Elliott about narrative therapy. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this series!

In this week's We Get It, Karine chats with Ashley and Shiva about how they navigated ableism, racism, and relationship dynamics throughout Ashley's cancer experience.

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine speaks with Joe Bakhmoutski of Simplify Cancer about hope. Cancer is tough and it is Joe's mission to help more people find hope inside a crisis, have a greater impact on the world when facing uncertainty, and help those around us to carry on when times are tough. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine speaks with Alex and Gabrielle about the ins and outs of their new book as they share the wisdom associated with the close-knit Balls of Shit theory (BST) and how it relates to post-traumatic growth after a cancer diagnosis.   Although the theory name may make you crack a smile, the contents and learnings build a foundation on how to rid yourself of thoughts and feelings that no longer serve you.   Simply put, the BST illustrates the importance of letting go of actions, thoughts, and feelings that no longer serve us. The BST is about introspection. It is about looking inwards to identify, process, and let go of our balls of shit -- that is, the shit that is holding us back from living our best lives. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine speaks with Tom Masterson (he/him) of Blue, an "assistant that enables community support for the everyday challenges that come with a health problem." "Asking for help is hard. Knowing what to do is hard. From what we can tell, those conversations are HARDER than actually giving and receiving support. We think that's messed up. That's why we let Blue have those conversations for us, and we've seen friends and family -- and even strangers and businesses -- take a more active role in support as a result." Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine chats with Marissa Thomas, co-founder of For The Breast of Us, "a breast cancer community for women of color." They discuss the importance of storytelling, Marissa shares some tips on how to navigate the healthcare system, and they also speak of privilege and how becoming conscious of our own can help the greater good!

YACC sits down with Nadia Prando, a multilingual therapist at New Leaf Psychology Centre and PsyMood specialist, to chat about the role representation, language, and culture can play in effective and suitable mental, emotional, and psychological support. Nadia has had first-hand experience being a young adult with cancer and works with many cancer survivors. When it comes to the importance of support throughout and post-cancer, she "gets it." Give PsyMood a follow on Instagram or Twitter for tips on how it can help maintain your mental and emotional well-being. Feel free to use the promo code YACC50%OFF for 50 per cent off your first PsyMood session with a specialist (valid until December 30, 2021). Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!

Queering Cancer is a website that aims to provide resources and community for 2SLGBTQIA+ people with cancer and their loved ones. The website features a fully searchable database of specific and relevant resources, stories written by and for 2SLGBTQIA+ people with cancer, and community forums. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!

Karine has a conversation with Denis Raymond about how to define your identity after cancer. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!

On this episode of We Get It, we chat with Genevieve Stonebridge of InspireHealth on the benefits of creativity. Together we will discover what creativity is, its barriers, facilitators, and all the good that can come from it. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this series possible!

During this episode of We Get It, Karine speaks with Dr. Anika Petrella, Dr. Jackie Bender, and YACCer Paul Silvestri about the engagement of men in health research and support programs and services. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!          

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine chats with Peter Bovolaneas and Bonnie Lum, both long time alumni of YACC, on what it means to “grow old” in the cancer community. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!

YACCtivist, ocular melanoma survivor, and new New Zealand resident Ashley Stead-Morine chats with YACC's program director, Karine. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Dani chats with Dr. Fiona Schulte, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology in the Cumming School of Medicine, about quality of life and young adult cancer. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine chats with filmmaker, artist, and cancer survivor Zoe Ho. Zoe was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) at the age of 36 and it became a turning point where she felt even deeper the struggles we all share, and sought ways to remain inspired and in wonder, discovering the beauty within and embracing our wholeness, even in the face of challenge. Since 2010, Zoe has taught embodied mindfulness yoga workshops and classes internationally. Today she shares self-love and compassion-based strategies with an infectious sense of humour and tenderness, encouraging you to rediscover home within, and the wonder of being alive. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!

In this week's episode of We Get It, Karine chats with Genevieve Stonebridge of InspireHealth about the foundations of self-compassion and how it can help us navigate the difficulties of our lives with more kindness and less judgment. Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!

Join us as we speak to Melina Ladouceur, cancer coach at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. We'll be talking about cancer-related fatigue, what it is, and what you can do to manage it and increase your energy during and following cancer treatment. Melina will provide insights into what cancer coaching is and share tips so you can create a game plan that works for YOU and your life to have more energy, make the transition back to work, and to move forward towards the life you want after treatment.    Thank you to our partners at CIBC for supporting this web series!