World Cancer Day is a reminder that cancer is not a single experience, but a journey that touches people at every stage of life in deeply different ways. While research, treatment, and early detection remain critical, so too are the communities that support people through diagnosis, survivorship, grief, and everything in between. Across Canada, organizations like Pink Pearl, Young Adult Cancer Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, Gilda’s Club, and Team Shan are meeting people where they are offering connection, advocacy, and care that extend far beyond the hospital walls, and ensuring that no one has to navigate cancer alone.
Pink Pearl Canada
Pink Pearl was founded by ovarian cancer survivor Elise Gasbarrino after her own experience with cancer in her early twenties revealed a lack of age-specific support for young women. What began as a personal vision has grown into a national organization offering peer connection and fully funded programs for self-identifying women aged 18–40, including wellness retreats, counselling, learning series, hospital care packages, and scholarships, all designed to ensure no young woman faces cancer alone.
YACC
Young Adult Cancer Canada focuses on the unique challenges faced by people diagnosed with cancer in their teens, 20s, and 30s. From national retreats to online resources and advocacy, YACC helps young adults reconnect with themselves and others who truly understand the impact cancer has on identity, relationships, careers, and mental health during a pivotal stage of life.
Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society plays a vital role across the entire cancer journey, funding life-saving research, advocating for better care, and providing trusted information and support services to individuals and families nationwide. Their work helps ensure Canadians have access to credible guidance, practical resources, and hope, no matter where they are in their diagnosis or treatment.
Gilda
Gilda’s Club was inspired by the late comedian Gilda Radner, whose own experience with cancer highlighted the need for emotional and community-based support alongside medical care. Founded on the belief that no one should face cancer alone, Gilda’s Club offers welcoming, judgement-free spaces where individuals living with cancer and those who love them can connect, share, and find comfort through support groups, education, and community programs.
Team Shan
Team Shan was founded in memory of Shan, whose cancer journey revealed gaps in awareness, early detection, and support for families navigating diagnosis and loss. What began as a deeply personal response to grief has grown into a grassroots movement rooted in love, action, and advocacy, raising awareness, supporting families, and pushing for meaningful change while keeping compassion and community at the heart of the cancer conversation.
