Young Adult Cancer Canada

About Young Adult Cancer Canada:

Founded in 2000, Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) aims to eliminate feelings of isolation among young adults with cancer. YACC supports, connects, and inspires young adults as they live with, through, and beyond cancer. YACC recognizes that young adults experience cancer differently from other age groups, as they reach an age where peers start their careers, or their own families. For young adults with cancer, issues like finances and fertility can be uniquely important. The charity states that 8,000 new young adults are diagnosed with cancer in Canada every year.

YACC runs six major support programs that contribute to its mission of building a community of young adults. Support programming made up 79% of program costs in F2016. Retreat Yourself, YACC’s original face-to-face program, consists of retreats that provide a camp-like, community experience for young adults. The program had 21 attendees in F2016. Retreat Yourself Adventure is an annual fall event where young cancer survivors and supporters go ziplining and hiking while discussing survivorship issues. 17 people took part in F2016. Localife connects young adult cancer survivors through a peer-led program where participants take part in a wide variety of activities such as card games, archery, and local excursions. The program had 332 participants in F2016. The annual Survivor Conference is an annual reunion for young cancer survivors and supports across Canada. 75 people attended in F2016. Similarly, the Big Cancer Hook-up is an annual, national event for young adult cancer survivors and supports. 383 people attended in F2016. YACC’s online support, which is provided through its website, had 125,616 visits in F2016.

Young Adult Cancer Canada also runs an awareness & advocacy program to raise awareness of young adult cancer issues, including through social media platforms. The program made up 21% of program costs in F2016.

Financial Review:

Young Adult Cancer Canada is a small-cap charity with total cash donations and special events fundraising of $837k in F2016. Administrative costs are 15% of revenues and fundraising costs are 30% of donations and special events. Per dollar donated to the charity, $0.55 goes toward its programs, which falls outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Funding reserves of $214k can cover only 37% of annual program costs, indicating a funding need.

YACC’s main fundraising event is Shave for the Brave, in which participants raise funds by shaving their heads in solidarity with young adults with cancer. In F2016, 59% of total donations and special events fundraising (46% of total revenues) came from the Shave for the Brave campaign.

This charity report is an update that is being reviewed by YACC. Comments and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 4, 2017 by Katie Khodawandi.