Eleven years ago, Cactus Cancer Society launched as a nonprofit with a simple but radical belief: Survival is insufficient. Young adults facing cancer deserve more than survival. They deserve connection, creativity, and community. Since then, thousands of young adults have joined us in art workshops, writing workshops, book clubs of all varieties, LEGO-building sessions, and brave conversations where anxiety lessened, isolation softened, and voices were validated, uplifted, and empowered. This year, we’re celebrating 11 years of impact in the most “Cactus” way we know how: an all-day celebration of creativity, community, and connection. We have 4 ways we can celebrate together!
1. Join the Birthday Celebration
At the heart of it all is our online birthday celebration, a 5-hour creative fundraiser happening Saturday, April 18th (9 am–2 pm PT / 11 am–4 pm CT / 12 pm–5 pm ET). Throughout the day, you’ll join four live, hour-long art tutorials led by Cactus Cancer Society staff. These sessions are welcoming and low-pressure, whether you’re brand new to art or ready to try something different. You’ll explore creative drills in the Constraints Lab with Lauren Morales, LCSW; design exotic monster plants with Aerial Donovan; paint watercolor landscapes with Mallory Casperson; and close with origami lotus flowers. We’ll also announce the Young Adult Advocate of the Year (YAAY), close out the birthday auction, and spend time in real connection with community. This isn’t just a virtual event. It’s a space to make something, feel something, and be part of something.
Ticket Options:
- $50 — Live Event Access
Full access to the 5-hour celebration, including all tutorials and the award presentation - $75 — Live Event + Bonus Creative Guide (PDF)
Includes a beautifully designed guide with prompts, supply lists, and ways to keep creating afterward - $150 — Live Event + Guide + Supply Box
Includes everything above, plus a curated supply box with over 25 materials (valued at $200+) so you can follow along in real time - $250 — Birthday Champion
Includes everything above, plus recognition during the event as a Birthday Champion supporter
Every ticket helps fund free creative coping programs for young adults navigating cancer. Get your ticket
2. Bid in the Birthday Auction
In the days leading up to the celebration, we’ll host an online art auction featuring work by members of our young adult cancer community. Each piece carries its own story, moments, and meaning beyond the canvas. This is art supporting art. Every bid helps us continue offering free, creative coping programs for young adults impacted by cancer. The auction will close during the live celebration, so join us to catch the final moments and celebrate alongside the artists.
More details coming soon!
3. Give a Birthday Gift
If attending isn’t in the cards for you, you can still be part of this. A birthday gift directly supports free creative programs, peer connection, and survivor-led spaces for young adults facing cancer. It helps ensure that someone logging in from an infusion chair, from recovery, or from a moment of uncertainty finds a place where they can exhale and be met with care.
4. Support YAAY (Young Adult Advocate of the Year)
This year’s Young Adult Advocate of the Year candidates are thoughtful, driven individuals working to change what support looks like for young adults with cancer. Over the coming weeks, supporters will “vote” with their dollars to help select this year’s advocate. It’s not just a competition. It’s a way to uplift voices, share stories, and fund programs that make a real difference.
Learn more & support a candidate
Thank You For Being Here
This celebration is about more than a milestone. It’s about everything that has been built over the past eleven years, the art made in hard seasons, the conversations that helped someone feel seen, the moments where isolation softened just a little. It’s about what happens when creativity becomes a coping tool, and community shows up in real ways.
However you choose to take part, whether you join us live, bid on a piece, support an advocate, or give what you can, you are part of what makes this possible. We’re so grateful you’re here, and we can’t wait to celebrate together.
