Imagine feeling lost, afraid, and alone during one of the most important and stressful points in your life because of cancer. Annually, over 90,000 young adults aged 18-39 in the US are diagnosed with cancer, and the future they once had planned for is dramatically altered. These young adult patients are scattered across the US and rarely meet others their age with cancer, making facing cancer as a young adult extremely isolating. Because social isolation plays such a big role among young adults facing cancer and can have a profound influence on their health, Cactus Cancer Society is dedicated to fostering community within this demographic. We are proud to provide that safe space for them to find their young adult cancer peers and build deep connections through engaging and supportive online programming.

Cactus Cancer Society’s mission is to provide a safe space where young adults facing cancer can connect, cope, and thrive with one another in an online community through creativity and expression. Our vision is to end isolation among young adults facing cancer.  Our innovative programs offer unparalleled access to peer connection ensuring any young adult facing cancer can receive support regardless of their specific cancer diagnosis, geographic location, financial situation, immunocompromised state, hospitalization status, or other complicating factors. For young adults facing the daunting challenges of cancer, our online support serves as an indispensable lifeline that transcends the limitations of in-person interactions. Providing an outlet for healthy expression of complex emotions through art, writing, or other creative coping activities in connection with their peers can lead to quality of life benefits for these young adult cancer patients and survivors. Our programs are backed by research that shows the value of these activities in helping to reduce anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Engaging in creative activities can serve as a conduit for self-expression, enabling them to articulate their emotions and experiences in ways that might be difficult through conventional communication. Through these activities, they can rediscover a sense of agency and control, fostering a renewed connection with their inner strength and resilience. Ultimately, these creative endeavors contribute to fostering a positive mindset, enabling young adults to navigate their cancer journey with a greater sense of hope and purpose.