Cactus Cancer Society’s 10th Anniversary Anthology is Here!

Love that unmistakable new book smell? You’re in luck! 

To celebrate ten years of community and creativity, Cactus Cancer Society is proud to announce our very first–and long-awaited–Anthology! 

This one-of-a-kind book is a vibrant collection of poems, short stories, and visual arts, all created by members of our young adult cancer community. Every page of the anthology tells a story of resilience, connection, and hope. 

It’s hard to imagine any single object could encapsulate the vibrancy and brilliance of our community members, let alone an entire decade of Cactus Cancer Society’s biggest milestones. Yet, this anthology accomplishes just that.

Cancer is an incredibly heavy burden, but when shared among community members, our reflections can offer a sense of lightness, comfort, and ease. Through creative expression, we transform the most isolating days of our lives into something beautiful and poetic. When you hold this book in your hands, you’ll understand exactly what we mean.

This is more than just a book. It’s a limited-edition art collection, a celebration of community, and a piece of Cactus Cancer Society history. Grab your copy today!

Get Your Anthology!

Celebrating 10 Years of Connection and Creativity for Young Adults Facing Cancer

On April 7, 2025 Cactus Cancer Society reached an incredible milestone – our 10th Birthday! 

For the past decade, we’ve been honored to walk alongside more than 15,000 young adults as they navigate cancer, offering them free, virtual creative coping programs that bring connection, creativity, and community when they need it most. 

This momentous anniversary wouldn’t be possible without YOU – our cherished network of mission partners, passionate program participants, generous donors, and dedicated advocates. Cactus Cancer Society, at its core, is the creative collaboration of every stakeholder invested in our mission. 

Whether you’ve shared your time, talents, creativity, resources, brilliance, or heart, we extend our sincere gratitude to you for making Cactus Cancer Society a space where young adults facing cancer feel safe seeking support during the most difficult circumstances of their lives. 

From our early days as a humble blog and e-commerce site run by a single, determined cancer survivor to the thriving organization we are now–with 6 staff members, over 700 donors, and a growing community of over 15,000 program participants–our journey has been one of resilience, growth, and deep connection.

Cactus Cancer Society is a growth-minded organization, deeply rooted in resilience and ever-inspired by the vibrancy of our community members. Looking ahead, our vision remains as clear as ever: ensure no young adult faces cancer alone. 

As we look back with pride and ahead with purpose, one thing is clear: the best is yet to come!

Thank you for being part of our story–and here’s to the next 10 years of creativity, connection, and community!

Introducing: The 10th Anniversary Art Gallery & Auction

For the past decade, Cactus Cancer Society has been a place of creativity, connection, and support for young adults facing cancer. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we wish every one of our friends could be with us in person – but no matter where you are, you’re a part of this community and we invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone.

In true Cactus Cancer Society fashion, we’ve created something special that everyone – near or far – can be part of. Allow us to introduce the 10th Anniversary Art Gallery & Auction:

This stunning collection showcases mixed-media masterpieces created by our beloved community members – art that tells stories of resilience, connection, and hope. Each piece is a reflection of the journeys, emotions, and experiences of young adults facing cancer, capturing moments of strength and beauty.

But that’s not all – our auction also features an array of exciting silent auction-style goodies, including private wine tasting, gift baskets, a tea-matching service, gorgeous artisan jewelry, and more! Whether you’re bidding on one-of-a-kind artwork or a special treat for yourself or a loved one, every contribution helps sustain the programs that provide support and community to young adults facing cancer.

And now you have the chance to bring one of these powerful pieces into your own life because the auction is officially open!  

Even if you can’t attend our 10th Anniversary Gala, you can still revel in the excitement of our auction by participating virtually.  Place a bid on the artwork or silent auction items that speak to you – every bid helps ensure the next young adult who turns to us for support finds the community they need.

🖼️ Explore & Register: Register for the auction and browse the art gallery and auction virtually.

Register & Explore the Virtual Art Gallery!

🎉 Join The Excitement: The 10th Anniversary Auction will run from March 31st until 9:15pm PST on April 5th. Be sure to tune in for the final moments – watching live could be the key to securing your masterpiece!

Support Our Young Adult Cancer Advocate of the Year Candidates!

Support Our Young Adult Cancer
Advocate of the Year Candidates!

Cactus Cancer Society is in sheer awe of our exceptional 2025 Young Adult Cancer Advocate of the Year (YAAY) candidates!  These passionate, driven individuals are not only raising awareness, but making a tangible impact in the lives of young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. 

The YAAY campaign has grown into something far greater than a competition – it’s an impactful movement advocacy, connection, and community.  In just seven weeks, these incredible advocates have raised over $17,000 to ensure that no young adult has to face cancer alone. Along the way, they’ve shown unwavering dedication, teamwork, and resilience, proving that together, we can create meaningful change.

Now, they need your support to cross the finish line! With just one week left, every dollar you donate is a vote for the advocate you believe deserves the prestigious title of Young Adult Cancer Advocate of the Year. More importantly, your contributions directly fuel Cactus Cancer Society’s life-saving programs – proven to reduce loneliness, anxiety, depression, and psychological distress for young adults facing cancer. Who will take home the title of Young Adult Cancer Advocate of the Year? That’s up to you! Casting your vote today and help shape the future for young adults facing cancer!

SUPPORT A YAAY CANDIDATE NOW!

Celebrate A Decade of Impact!

Can you believe it?  2025 marks 10 incredible years of reducing isolation among young adults facing cancer!  Together, we’ve built a vibrant, resilient, and creative community – and now it’s time to celebrate everything we’ve achieved.

Shall I set the scene? 

On April 5, 2025, we’ll gather in beautiful Berkeley, California, to raise our sparkling glasses and honor a decade of impact on the young adult cancer community.  This unforgettable evening will feature Barcelona-inspired tapas, signature refreshments, and an exquisite gallery of auctionable art created by our talented community members.  The night will also feature an inspiring award ceremony to recognize exceptional advocates who have lived out our mission

But that’s not all!  Start the day with us at a morning Art Workshop where we will experience the magic of creative coping and community in person (!!!). Over coffee and treats, we’ll come together to create, connect, and celebrate the power of art in healing.

Over the past 10 years, Cactus Cancer Society’s virtual creative coping programs have brought hope and connection to more than 14,500 young adults as they navigate the harsh landscape of cancer. This remarkable milestone –and the transformative power of community– are a testament to the unwavering support of our cherished network mission partners, program participants, and dedicated advocates. Cactus Cancer Society, at its core, is a creative collaboration, and every bit of this success reflects what you, our community, has made possible. 

So, will you join us?  Dust off your California cocktail attire that makes you feel fabulous because we are wine-ing, dining, and celebrating this anniversary in style. 

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to gather in person with our vibrant young adult cancer community and the allies in our mission who have made this decade of impact possible. Tickets are available at the early bird price until February 1st – secure yours today and mark your calendar for an event that promises to inspire, uplift, and celebrate or shared impact.

Together, let’s toast to 10 years of resilience, creativity, and connection–and to the incredible future ahead!

GET YOUR GALA TICKET NOW!

How do stress, conflict, and isolation impact cancer outcomes?

Here at Cactus Cancer Society, we believe in the power of research for improving the lives of those who may be diagnosed with cancer in the future.  We’re always interested in amplifying the voices and experiences of young adults facing cancer, and making sure this population is represented in research. Check out the research opportunity below to see how you can use your story to help others!

The Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study

The purpose of this study is to understand more about how the world that teen and young adult lymphoma survivors live in affects the outcomes of their cancer treatment. We call this field of research social genomics, and it takes a close look at why and how different factors like social stress, conflict, and isolation can impact cancer diagnoses and outcomes.

This study for young adult cancer survivors is being run by a fellow young adult cancer survivor.  For more info, watch the research team’s informational YouTube video at https://youtu.be/xDlnWKvtkuU.

Am I Eligible to Participate?

You are eligible to participate if you:

  • Were diagnosed with Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma between the ages of 15 and 39
  • Are currently between the ages of 18 and 39
  • Completed treatment within the past three years

What Will I Be Asked to Do?

You’ll be asked to complete an online survey every six months for two years and provide a blood sample every six months for two years.

Will I Be Compensated?

Participants will receive a $20 gift card each time they complete a survey and provide a blood sample (5 times for a total of $100).

How Do I Sign Up?

Learn more at https://youtu.be/xDlnWKvtkuU.  To sign up to participate, visit https://redcapproduction.umms.med.umich.edu/surveys/?s=ATKW4KFCEYHL9YR3

Songwriting Workshop!

September Art Workshop: Songwriting

Creative acts like writing a song can seem mysterious and intimidating. But! What if the goal wasn’t so mysterious and intimidating and could be achieved by anyone who wants to experience a little more creativity and magic in their life? Whether this is your first time writing a song or you’ve written a thousand, we’ll be working together as a group while walking you through the steps of channeling your thoughts into a song in Cactus Cancer Society’s first-ever songwriting workshop! 

We will be using Jeff Tweedy’s book, How to Write One Song: Loving the Things We Create and How They Love Us Back as a guide to unlock your creativity and get over that speedbump of self-consciousness and inspiration!

Who: young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

When: Thursday, September 26th, from 5:00-7:00pm PT / 7:00-9:00pm CT / 8:00-10:00pm ET

To learn more and sign up,  click here!

CancerCon: Oodles Of Thoughts and Meetup in Austin!

Are you going to this year’s CancerCon?

 

 

Come hang with our co-founders Mallory & Aerial and some of your prickly pals at Aussie’s August 16 @ 7:30pm CDT!! It’s just a short walk from the Hyatt Regency Hotel and we’ll have some fun CCS swag and snacks!! Click our link to RSVP below! 

 

 

Also – come do a workshop with us IN PERSON! We’ll be doing Oodles of Thoughts: A Doodle Journal Workshop live on August 17 @9:45am CDT, where participants can respond to journal prompts with writing, doodling, or a combination of the two as a way to embrace creative coping and expression through art and writing. Focus on self-care and self-expression in an intentionally designed nurturing, supportive, safe environment among your peers! Be there Saturday morning with your oodles of thoughts! 

RSVP for our meetup here!