For 10 years, Cactus Cancer Society has been a lifeline for young adults facing cancer, creating a space where no one has to navigate cancer alone. The Young Adult Cancer Advocate of the Year (YAAY) competition honors the changemakers—passionate individuals dedicated to building a future where every young adult impacted by cancer feels supported, understood, and empowered.
Over the next 8 weeks, these inspiring candidates will raise critical funds to fuel creative coping programs that combat the loneliness, fear, and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis. But they can’t do it alone. This is where YOU come in.
Your donation is more than a vote—it’s a lifeline. Every dollar helps provide young adults with free, life-changing programs that bring comfort, creativity, and connection when they need it most. And with your support, one of these incredible advocates will earn the title of Young Adult Cancer Advocate of the Year, a recognition of their unwavering dedication to this cause.
The competition will culminate at our 10th Anniversary Gala in Berkeley, California, on April 5, 2025, where we’ll celebrate a decade of impact and honor the advocate who raised the most to change lives.
Stand with these advocates. Donate. Share. Make a difference. Together, we can ensure that no young adult faces cancer alone. 💚
For eight weeks, nine passionate changemakers competed for Cactus Cancer Society’s Young Adult Cancer Advocate of The Year (YAAY) Award. Throughout this journey, our YAAY candidates collectively raised an astounding $38,722 in support of our mission to end isolation among young adults facing cancer!
Their dedication and impact culminated at our 10th Anniversary Gala, where we planned to proudly present this inaugural award to one of our beloved community members. HOWEVER, the top two candidates collectively raised over $11,000 during the final day of the competition, and each time we checked the score board, someone else had inched ahead.
It’s our award so we get to make the rules so without further ado…
🎉 Cactus Cancer Society is Honored to Introduce two 2025 Young Adult Advocates of the Year:
These two have been absolutely incredible and we cannot be more grateful! Their advocacy work will fund over 700 supply boxes for young adults facing cancer in our programs.
To Cody and Ashley, thank you immensely for all your hard work and dedication! You two are truly, truly deserving of this award! Congratulations!