Aug 30, 2017 - Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) knows cancer is different when you're in your late teens, 20s, and 30s,
AYA NEWSLETTER Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program Newsletter
August 2017
It’s “Prime” time to make change! Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) knows cancer is different when you’re in your late teens, 20s, and 30s, and that’s why we have been working on building a supportive national community of young adults affected by cancer since 2000. What started out as awareness became a national online network, which spawned fourday face-to-face events where AYAs could come together and chat with others who truly understood what it was like to face the end of your life when you were just getting started. For more information on some of these events: http:// www.youngadultcancer.ca/ The next step is to examine the AYA cancer experience in juxtaposition to the “typical” experience of young adults to see where the biggest differences are felt to incite change in both YACC’s programming, and the healthcare sector as a whole. In partnership with Dr. Sheila Garland and her team of researchers at Memorial University, YACC launched the YAC Prime Study on June 2, 2017 to help incite real change in the AYA landscape. Not only does this study aim to get 600 responses to be the largest of its kind to date, it will be the first to explore the physical, social, financial, and emotional challenges faced by young adults diagnosed with cancer in the prime of their lives in comparison to their non-cancer peers. “When I moved to Newfoundland two years ago, I made it a priority to meet with YACC. They started asking questions, and when I went back to the research to answer them, I realized there were no answers at all. These were not hard questions, they were questions like ‘Is life really different for young adults with cancer compared to other people who haven’t been diagnosed?’ Nobody has really looked at it yet,” said Garland. “The YAC Prime Study will help us bring the unique issues facing young adults with cancer into the light and put measures around the experiences of young adult survivors in Canada. This study will change how YACC provides support for this forgotten generation of cancer patients and it will empower us and our network to make positive change in the young adult cancer experience in Canada,” said Geoff Eaton, founder and executive director of YACC. Ottawa’s Denis Raymond was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme four years ago. “I’m so behind my peers at this point. I’ve gone back to school, but even now, I still feel ten steps behind everyone else.” We get it. And we want to make change. If you were you diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-40, and are currently over 19, visit YACPrime.ca to join the YAC Prime Study and change what it means to live with, through, and beyond cancer as a young adult!
“The YAC Prime Study will help us bring the unique issues facing young adults with cancer into the light and put measures around the experiences of young adult
survivors in Canada.”
MONTHLY COMMUNITY UPDATES GILDA’S CLUB 24 Cecil St. Toronto, ON www.gildasclubtoronto.org 416 214 9898
AYA PROGRAM UPDATES YEAR-LONG NOMINATIONS FOR THE MICHAEL KAMIN HART AWARD We are currently accepting year-long nominations for the Michael Kamin Hart Award. If you are a young adult patient 39 and under who would like to recognize a volunteer or staff member at Princess Margaret for providing exceptional care to you during your cancer journey, you can apply. Nominations are due annually on March 1. For more information, visit our Facebook page for submission details.
AYA MICHAEL KAMIN HART SCHOLARSHIP Thank you to everyone who applied for a scholarship this year! We received 15 applications, in which 6 winners were chosen. Congratulations to everyone who received an award! This scholarship will be available annually for individuals who are interested in applying. Keep an eye out for future announcements!
AYA MINDFULNESS BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) We will be offering AYA MBCT sessions to those interested in attending in September. Stay tuned for upcoming information on how to register. An email will be sent out once everything is confirmed.
20s & 30s Support Group A safe place for young adults with cancer to share their thoughts and experiences. Aug 10, 24, 6:30—8 PM Coping with Difficult Thoughts and Emotions Attend a 2-hr workshop that introduces effective strategies for coping with difficult emotions and activities that can be practiced within a group. Facilitated by a social worker. Aug 30, 3—5 PM
WELLSPRING 4 Charles St E, Toronto, ON www.wellspring.ca 416 961 1928
COMMUNITY EVENTS & UPDATES EXPEDITIONS Expeditions for young adult cancer survivors (18 to 39) and a close supporter for a fun expedition: Survive & Thrive, Aug 10—17: Spend 7 days traveling 188 river miles on a motorized raft through the majestic Grand Canyon. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2tr40Bl On the Tip of the Toes, Sept 30—Oct 3: Sign up to attend the Fall Getaway Expedition: Voyageur Canoe on the Poisson Blanc Reservoir, QC. This is for those undergoing treatment or in remission. For more information and to apply (due Sept 4), visit http:// bit.ly/2fdaMnX
COMEDY BAR WITH PINK PEARL FOUNDATION
Pink Pearl Foundation is hosting a Catch 23 Improv Comedy Night at 945 Bloor Street at the Comedy Bar on September 15, 2017 at 8 PM. This is a free event for young women facing cancer to create connections and build friendship all the while sharing a few laughs. Hors d’oeurves will be provided. To attend, please register and RSVP to
[email protected]
YOUNG ADULT CANCER CANADA (YACC) AUGUST RETREAT Participate in YACC’s free Retreat Yourself event in Abbotsford, British Columbia from Aug 10 to 14. This is open to young adult cancer patients and survivors diagnosed between 15 to 39 who are currently between 18 to 39 years of age. Supporters within the 18 to 39 year old age range are also welcome! For more information: http://bit.ly/1kCkM7j
PARTICIPATE IN A STUDY! CanDirect Study at McGill CanDirect Study is looking for cancer survivor volunteers to try self-care tools (relaxation CD and MP3, CBT workbooks) designed to help manage feelings of depression and anxiety for a Canadian Cancer Society funded studyFor more info visit: http://www.mcgill.ca/candirect/andhttps://www.facebook.com/CanDirectstudy or call contact Camilla Diniz at (416) 643-7336 or email her at
[email protected]
Visit online for upcoming program event dates this month: http:// bit.ly/2sGqCdy
The ball’s in your court! Are you a testicular cancer survivor? Get involved today! Who? Testicular cancer survivors who are interested in participating in individual interviews discussing supportive care programming! Why? To help in the development of sport-specific supportive care program for men like YOU! Where? Interviews will be held at the University of Toronto (St. George Campus) or by telephone at your convenience! To participate, contact the study team directly at
[email protected] 