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Our Mission & Vision

We provide a safe space where young adults (ages 18-45) facing cancer can connect, cope, and thrive with one another in an online community through creativity and expression. We want to end isolation for young adults facing cancer.

Come celebrate with us!

Cactus Cancer Society is a decade old and we’re celebrating with an in-person gala in Berkeley, California on Saturday, April 5, 2025! Celebrations will involve an exceptional tapas-style dinner, refreshments, and a curated gallery of art made by Cactus Cancer Society’s beloved community members that will be auctioned off, so you can take some of the magic home with you. We hope you’ll join us!

Our Programs

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Learn how to participate, contribute, and purchase Cactus Cancer Society's 10th Anniversary Anthology!

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Whether you're looking for one night workshops or a full journaling series, check out the upcoming journaling workshops here.

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Join Cactus Cancer Society for a book club like no other- with you as the author, illustrator, and creator! Our new Creative Arts Book Club puts you at the center of a one of a kind book.

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Everyone keeps secrets. From the time we are young, we file some things away to keep as a secret, either as a white lie, a way to protect other people, or even a way to protect ourselves.

Story Mapping

Combine the power of storytelling with the art of graphic representation and you've got Story Mapping, a workshop about empowering young adults at any stage of their cancer experience to find their voice, tell their story and thrive.

Creative Coping Series

A cohort of young adults facing cancer attend a multi-week series of online creative coping workshops together!

YA Cancer Gabfest

Each December, join us for a week of interactive survivorship crash courses for facing cancer.

Builders Workshop

Build your lego creations while hanging out with other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

Ask A Cactus

Get to know the experts in our community as they answer your questions on the young adult cancer survivorship experience!

Our Impact

We provide support and resources to young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers via online wellness resources, lifestyle encouragement, and peer support community. 

Participants experience a statistically significant reduction in anxiety, depression, loneliness, and psychological distress after joining our programs.

Upcoming Programs

Builders Workshop
Tue, Nov 26, 2024
It’s A Wonderful Life: Taking Care During The Holidays
Thu, Dec 5, 2024
- Thu, Dec 19, 2024
Mon, Dec 9, 2024
- Fri, Dec 13, 2024
Wed, Dec 18, 2024

Are you feeling prickly?

Why a cactus society? Like the cactus in our name, the young adults who seek our community are tough; they are strong, adaptive, and resilient.  They thrive in unlikely conditions and with this fortitude comes resilience.

Are you a healthcare provider?

Looking for materials to hand to patients?

Meet our community

See what we’ve made

About Us

We provide a safe space where young adults facing cancer can breathe easier knowing that there are others here who understand what they are facing. Our community offers an escape from the harsh realities of cancer, and an opportunity to cope through creativity and expression, and continue to grow and thrive.

Donate

Be there for that next young adult who is facing cancer and looking for someone who understands.  Show them they are not alone.