Young Adult Cancer Canada: We Get It
Each week, Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) program director Karine Chalifour speaks with someone affected by young adult cancer -- whether they are living with, through, and beyond a diagnosis, or working to help those who are. In addition to hearing people talk about their personal experiences, we chat about things like meditation, creativity, being a death doula, breathing exercises, being a caregiver, fatigue, cancer during a pandemic, and more.
info_outline
We Get It: The importance of getting involved with Gerald Mak (season 3, episode 11)
05/17/2022
We Get It: The importance of getting involved with Gerald Mak (season 3, episode 11)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/23141183
info_outline
We Get It: Mindfulness, meditation, and perspective with Harman (season 3, episode 10)
05/17/2022
We Get It: Mindfulness, meditation, and perspective with Harman (season 3, episode 10)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/23141141
info_outline
We Get It: A chat with Joe Bakhmoutski (season 3, episode 9)
05/17/2022
We Get It: A chat with Joe Bakhmoutski (season 3, episode 9)
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: Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/23141030
info_outline
We Get It: Parenting and advocacy with Heather Brown (season 3, episode 8)
05/17/2022
We Get It: Parenting and advocacy with Heather Brown (season 3, episode 8)
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 or Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/23140961
info_outline
We Get It: A chat with Val Mandarino (season 3, episode 7)
05/17/2022
We Get It: A chat with Val Mandarino (season 3, episode 7)
In this week’s episode, Alex’s mother/caregiver/supporter, Val Mandarino, joins him for a chat. You can or Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/23140904
info_outline
We Get It: Life after cancer with Kayla Tremblett (season 3, episode 5)
02/28/2022
We Get It: Life after cancer with Kayla Tremblett (season 3, episode 5)
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- — 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 or Thank you to our partners at CIBC for making this web series possible!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22303064
info_outline
We Get It: A chat with Nick (season 3, episode 4)
02/21/2022
We Get It: A chat with Nick (season 3, episode 4)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22303007
info_outline
We Get It: Comedy, creativity, and cancer with Daniel Stolfi (season 3, episode 3)
02/14/2022
We Get It: Comedy, creativity, and cancer with Daniel Stolfi (season 3, episode 3)
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 , 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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302965
info_outline
We Get It: Connecting with “YACC graduate” Alyssa (season 3, episode 2)
02/07/2022
We Get It: Connecting with “YACC graduate” Alyssa (season 3, episode 2)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302860
info_outline
We Get It: YACCer Blair Richardson on relationships (season 3, episode 1)
01/31/2022
We Get It: YACCer Blair Richardson on relationships (season 3, episode 1)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302803
info_outline
We Get It: Micah’s story (season 2, episode 12)
11/29/2021
We Get It: Micah’s story (season 2, episode 12)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302770
info_outline
We Get It: “Managing your money during uncertain times” with Greg Youden (season 2, episode 11)
11/22/2021
We Get It: “Managing your money during uncertain times” with Greg Youden (season 2, episode 11)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302749
info_outline
We Get It: Kirsten’s story (season 2, episode 10)
11/15/2021
We Get It: Kirsten’s story (season 2, episode 10)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302695
info_outline
We Get It: Beyond beans: Affordable nutrition tips with Erin Roman (season 2, episode 9)
11/08/2021
We Get It: Beyond beans: Affordable nutrition tips with Erin Roman (season 2, episode 9)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302677
info_outline
We Get It: Dylan, Leah, and Craig’s story (season 2, episode 8)
11/01/2021
We Get It: Dylan, Leah, and Craig’s story (season 2, episode 8)
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.
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302602
info_outline
We Get It: Brain fog (season 2, episode 7)
10/25/2021
We Get It: Brain fog (season 2, episode 7)
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.
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302572
info_outline
We Get It: Ashley’s story (season 2, episode 6)
10/18/2021
We Get It: Ashley’s story (season 2, episode 6)
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.
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302422
info_outline
We Get It: Sweating into your oldies (season 2, episode 5)
10/11/2021
We Get It: Sweating into your oldies (season 2, episode 5)
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.
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302350
info_outline
We Get It: Sarah and Nancy (season 2, episode 4)
10/07/2021
We Get It: Sarah and Nancy (season 2, episode 4)
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.
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302191
info_outline
We Get It: Legacy making & digital estate planning (season 2, episode 3)
10/04/2021
We Get It: Legacy making & digital estate planning (season 2, episode 3)
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.
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22302242
info_outline
We Get It: Morgan’s story (season 2, episode 2)
09/30/2021
We Get It: Morgan’s story (season 2, episode 2)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22301888
info_outline
We Get It: YAC Prime with Fiona Schulte (season 2, episode 1)
09/27/2021
We Get It: YAC Prime with Fiona Schulte (season 2, episode 1)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22301864
info_outline
We Get It: A chat with Jay Abramovitch (part 2)
09/23/2021
We Get It: A chat with Jay Abramovitch (part 2)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22017716
info_outline
We Get It: A chat with Jay Abramovitch (part 1)
09/20/2021
We Get It: A chat with Jay Abramovitch (part 1)
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22017674
info_outline
We Get It: Breathing through stress and other challenges
09/16/2021
We Get It: Breathing through stress and other challenges
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22017617
info_outline
We Get It: The road to recovery
09/13/2021
We Get It: The road to recovery
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22017509
info_outline
We Get It: Knight's Cabin and the benefits of nature
09/09/2021
We Get It: Knight's Cabin and the benefits of nature
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22017329
info_outline
We Get It: Planning a family
09/06/2021
We Get It: Planning a family
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22017305
info_outline
We Get It: Pandemic challenges
09/02/2021
We Get It: Pandemic challenges
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22017248
info_outline
We Get It: Quality of life
08/30/2021
We Get It: Quality of life
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!
/episode/index/show/youngadultcancercanada/id/22017209