Hello, AYA Can community!
As the calendar turns, there’s a distinct shift in the air. Whether you’re noticing the first stubborn sprouts of spring or simply enjoying the extra stretch of daylight, March is undeniably a month of transition and momentum.
In this edition, we’re leaning into that energy of “springing forward.” We’ve curated a mix of fresh insights and project updates to help you shake off the winter blues and find your stride for the quarter ahead.
We hope this month brings you a renewed sense of clarity and plenty of reasons to celebrate the changing season.
Happy reading!
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Here are 16 things you can do to support AYA’s today:
1. AYA Can Updates
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Community Call – Our next call will be April 17, 2026 at 12 PM EST
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CDA-AMC is holding a consultation on Improvements to the Drug Reimbursement Reviews Process, and Save Your Skin Foundation has prepared a joint patient group submission with ACTION. See attached for the response.
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Response to Consultation on removal of reconsideration process from requests for Priority Review and advance consideration for Notice of Compliance with conditions. See attached for the response.
2. News
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Book Spotlight ‘Coping with Cancer in Early Adulthood: From Diagnosis to Treatment to Day-to-Day Life Changes, Navigating Your Cancer Journey’ by Cristina Pozo-Kaderman and Saul Wisnia
Empowering young adult cancer patients with expert guidance, practical strategies, and heartfelt real-life stories, Coping with Cancer in Early Adulthood draws on decades of experience from Cristina Pozo-Kaderman, PhD, and Saul Wisnia to help reclaim life and identity amidst the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
The book explores the emotional, physical, and practical challenges faced by young adults who are navigating a cancer diagnosis during critical life milestones in early adulthood and provides actionable advice for managing emotional struggles, financial concerns, relationship challenges, and physical health changes caused by cancer.
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Am I attached? A patient-partnered approach to creating infographics about attachment to primary care in Ontario, Canada Read the article HERE
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Patient Advisory Committee Engagement in a Precision Medicine-Focused Public Oncology Conference: Case Report of Lessons Learned Read the article HERE
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Why it’s time to speed up access to life-changing cancer therapies. Read the article HERE
- Cervical cancer is ‘fastest-rising’ form in Canada as doctors urge action
Cervical cancer is the “fastest-rising form of cancer” in Canada and a “silent national health crisis” that doctors say the federal government must do more to eliminate. That was the message from a press conference on Wednesday from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada in Ottawa, and comes despite the government of Canada’s action plan released in July 2025 that committed to “eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2040.” In 2025, an estimated 1,650 Canadians were diagnosed with cervical cancer and 430 would die from the disease, which were said to be “avoidable.” Read the article HERE
3. Exciting news to share on behalf of Realize
We are preparing to host the 2026 National Youth Summit on Episodic Disability and Employment which will take place in Toronto, ON at the Chelsea Hotel, and online via Zoom on Saturday, March 7th, 2026 from 10am-4pm ET.
This is the second iteration of our transformative gathering designed to amplify the voices of young people with episodic disabilities, alongside advocates, professionals, and allies.
Speakers include people with lived experience of episodic disabilities, researchers, employers, government representatives, and organizational partners.
This year, our event is focused on “The Future of Work”, addressing topics such as:
· The impact of ‘return to office’ mandates for young people living with episodic disabilities
· The impact of AI on work and disability accommodation
· Perspectives from young people living with episodic disabilities
· And more!
The Youth Summit is designed specifically to appeal to an audience of young people who are newer to the workforce and are still learning to navigate this world after transitioning out of school. Together, we aim to inspire action, foster community, and address systemic barriers in employment, health, and education.
Register here: https://www.realizecanada.org/events/2026-national-youth-summit-on-episodic-disabilities-and-employment/
For more details on our upcoming events, please visit our website using this link: https://www.realizecanada.org/take-action/upcoming-events/
4. ReThink Breast Cancer
FREE GENETIC TESTING FOR BLACK WOMEN
Last chance for FREE genetic testing for black women: Rethink is facilitating financial assistance to help increase participation of the Black community in an important study, The Screen Project, by Women’s College Hospital. This is not just for women with a cancer diagnosis, this is for any black woman, over the age of 18, residing in Canada.
Here are the details:
️ To learn more or apply, please send us an email to hello@rethinkbreastcancer.com with “Genetic Testing” in the subject line.
️ Rethink will get back to you within a few days to provide further information and get you set up!
️ Rethink will directly cover the full $500 cost for the at-home genetic testing kit.
️ Please note, the last day to apply for this program is March 8, 2026. There are limited spots available and this is first come, first serve.
Please share with anyone you think may be interested!
RETHINK VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS AND PEER SUPPORT
Rethink offers regular, FREE, virtual support groups that are facilitated by psychotherapists and social workers. These support groups cover a variety of topics and there are sessions available for people diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer.
Find out more information and register for Virtual Support Groups
Our peer support groups are offered FREE of charge, and are facilitated by trained peer mentors as a virtual monthly session. These are also available to people living with early-stage breast cancer, and metastatic breast cancer.
Find out more information and register for Peer Support Groups
RETHINK LOCAL MEET-UPS
These in-person events are hosted by breast cancer community members in cities across Canada and are aimed at providing the opportunity for patients to connect in a casual setting to meet others who are going through a similar experience.
Find out more information and register for Rethink Local Meet-Ups
Diagnosed with breast cancer and looking for support in a safe place where others understand what you’re going through? Rethink Breast Cancer’s Virtual Support Groups help provide accessible mental health support and are facilitated by registered social workers or psychotherapists. And their peer support program, Mentoring Matters, provides a space for patients to ask questions and connect directly with others in the breast cancer community who are trained as mentors.
Register for all March sessions HERE
5. Gilda’s Toronto
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Treading Above Water (see flyer): A series of virtual education sessions in March to learn how to process difficult information and plan the best options for you or your loved ones during a period of time when life’s waters are calm, so that you will be able to keep your head above water when life becomes more turbulent and the water gets deep.
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Prep Talk (see flyer): Prep Talk offers personalized assistance in brainstorming questions related to your upcoming treatment decision, disease understanding, and treatment goals. Our trained staff will help you create a customized list of questions and concerns to share with your doctor in advance or during your appointment, ensuring you make the most of your limited time with your healthcare professional. Available for those with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers. If possible, Prep Talk should be scheduled within two weeks of your treatment discussion appointment. By appointment only.
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Life After Treatment Ped Parent Support Group (see flyer): In partnership with POGO, we are offering this new support group. This program is offered to pediatric parents whose child has completed treatment and is up to 5 years post-treatment from their child’s cancer diagnosis.
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Careful Steps Parenting Workshops (see flyer):
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Starting the Conversation — Sharing the Cancer Diagnosis with Children, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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Bridges of Trust — Strengthening Communication in the Family, Wednesday, November 25, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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Spring Support Groups will start the week of April 13, 2026. We are now welcoming referrals. To access Gilda’s support groups, please complete our membership form here: Become a Member – Gilda’s Toronto
6. #AYACSM update
We are officially relaunching the #AYACSM (Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Societal Movement; founded in 2013) chats this year!!! After pioneering the oncology chat space on Bluesky in 2025 (after leaving X), we took a break to regroup. In an attempt to improve attendance and let people know about the events more effectively – I have started an email list to send people calendar reminders. Interested in taking part? Please email EDrake@MTA.ca and I will add you! We are always looking for guest moderators and new people to join the discussions! The chat is open to everyone around the world who advocates for AYAs: people with lived experience, non-profits, academics, healthcare providers, etc. Conversations take place on the first Tuesday of the month at 8pm EST.
7. Lakehead University – Study on scanxiety in AYAs who’ve had cancer (see attached)
Researchers at Lakehead University are looking for young adults (ages 18-39) who have had cancer to share their experiences with scans and scanxiety, the stress, fear, or worry often felt in the time before, during, or leading up to the results for cancer-related medical imaging. Your insights may help improve care for young people affected by cancer.
If you’ve completed active cancer treatment in the past 5 years and had a cancer-related scan in the past year, you may be eligible to take part in a focus group and brief survey. Participants will receive a $50 gift card for their time.
Complete the brief eligibility survey here: https://lakeheadhbs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6tYReO7jXamGktM
If you have any questions, please email research.brancheslab@lakeheadu.ca
8. Pediatric Brain Tumour Survivors and Parents (see attached)
Following a diagnosis of pediatric brain tumour, many young people may experience changes in their social lives or friendships. While some interventions exist to support them, none have been developed directly from the perspective of the young people concerned and their parents. The objective of our study is therefore to gather the ideas, needs, and preferences of young people and their parents in order to guide the development of a new social resource, better adapted to their reality while promoting engagement.
In this context, we are currently recruiting young people aged 8 to 16 who have completed active treatment for a brain tumour at least one year ago, as well as their parents, to participate in virtual discussion groups in French or English. These meetings aim to better understand the challenges and facilitators related to social relationships, as well as preferences for activities and the format of the future intervention.
9. BiocanRX (see attached)
On March 28, 2026, BioCanRx will host five experts at Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue to discuss immunotherapy treatments for cancer and what they mean for Canadians. Internationally renowned health policy consultant, Louise Binder of Save Your Skin Foundation, will moderate discussions with Scientific Director, Dr. John Bell (Order of Canada recipient 2025), Dr. Robert Holt and Dr. Brad Nelson of BC Cancer, Dr. Hannah Cherniawsky of the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, and PhD Candidate Lorenzo Lindo to talk about how immunotherapy can benefit Canadians, how immunotherapies are made and used in Canada, and how immunotherapies change the future for Canadians living with cancer – and potentially, many other diseases.
This event is free and open to the public. Patients, caregivers, patient advocates, medical professionals, and any other interested individuals are encouraged to attend. Registration is on the Summit for Cancer Immunotherapy website.
OTTAWA:
Interesting in person event for anyone to participate in, so I’m sharing this notice of Co-creating the Future of Cancer Research which is an initiative by young researchers in Ottawa.
It’s a great opportunity to meet young, enthusiastic researchers who are keen to always learn more about patient perspectives and partnerships – especially in research.
10. CAPO Webinar Series – From persistence to policy: Breaking barriers in rare cancer care
Wednesday, March 18, 12 – 1:30 PM EST
Targeted innovating therapies are offering new hope to individuals with rare cancers. Unfortunately, in Canada, timely access to testing and treatment requires advocacy and persistence from patients, families, clinicians and advocates. But that should not be the case.
In this webinar, Nicolas and Noémie share their personal journey with cholangiocarcinoma, shedding light on the challenges they have encountered and underscoring the vital role of advocacy and research in advancing care for rare cancers.
This shared experience will set the stage for our panel discussion with leaders from national organizations, including Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD) and the Canadian Cholangiocarcinoma Collaborative (C3). The panel discussion will explore how Canada can move from reliance on individual efforts to a national, system-based approach for rare cancers to have better access to molecular testing and treatment options, while raising awareness of the current challenges rare cancers face in Canada. Speakers will examine how targeted testing, patient registries, research navigation, and outcome monitoring can form a scalable model applicable across all rare cancers. The discussion will also situate rare cancers as a critical pillar of Phase 2 ofCanada’s Rare Disease Drug Strategy, highlighting practical, implementable solutions to improve equity, access, and sustainability.
Register HERE
11. CCRAN – My Colorectal Cancer Summit — Registration is Open!
CCRAN is hosting the My Colorectal Cancer Summit, a free, virtual, multi-day event for colorectal cancer patients and caregivers, taking place March 23-27, 2026. The Summit offers expert-led sessions across the colorectal cancer continuum, including screening, imaging, medical, surgical and radiotherapeutic management of early and late-stage disease, biomarker testing, nutrition, genetics, and living well with colorectal cancer.
Learn more and register: https://www.ccran.org/colorectal-cancer-summit
12. ANEW Progress Report from BC (see attached)
Special call-out to Nellie Yee’s graphic recording capturing key themes from our collaborative session at the 2025 BC Cancer Summit, Co-Designing an AYA Cancer Care Program, Together. Check out the recording as well of our Summit Keynote, From Vision to Action, featuring two amazing AYAs together with AYA champions from BC Cancer, BC Children’s Hospital and Anew – all striving toward the establishment of an AYA cancer care program for BC/Yukon.
Research & Opportunities with Friends:
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BC Cancer’s Patient & Family Partnerships and Experience Program welcomes AYAs keen to share their perspectives and improve care for all. Honoraria are offered to thank partners for their time and contribution. Contact Isha Joshi at patientexp@bccancer.bc.ca.
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BC Cancer is conducting a study to design a program to meet the needs of young adults with breast cancer and researchers are seeking insight from diverse voices such as AYAs with advanced-stage breast cancer, from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, those with racialized backgrounds and those living in rural communities. Participants will receive a $100 honorarium. Contact Rachelle Payandeh at rpayandeh@bccrc.ca for full details.
13. CCSN Sign the Petition
Patients are still waiting.
For people living with lung cancer, timely access to effective treatments is not optional, it’s essential. Delays and inequities cost time, quality of life, and lives.
A federal e-petition is now open calling on the Government of Canada to ensure public access to lorlatinib as a second-line and later treatment across Canada.
ALK-positive lung cancer afflicts Canadians who are often younger and have never smoked, and frequently involves a stage IV diagnosis that is devastating to patients and families. This second line treatment, approved by 25 major regulators worldwide (incl. UK, US, Australia), is not approved in Canada.
If you are a patient, caregiver, or ally, and a Canadian citizen or resident please add your voice by signing.
Every signature strengthens patient advocacy and sends a clear message: Canadians expect action.
Please sign and share. Together, our voices matter.
Deadline: April 20, 2026, at 12:47 p.m. (EDT)
SIGN HERE
14. LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER SURVEY (see attached)
Look Good Feel Better (LGFB), in partnership with LogicalOutcomes and the University of Ottawa, is conducting a national study to help improve psychosocial supports for people affected by cancer.
This study explores the practical and emotional challenges that affect quality of life for people living with cancer and identifies gaps in social support services across Canada. Specifically, they aim to:
– Understand the types of support people need at all phases of cancer, including what they have accessed, what they wished they had, and what would be most helpful.
– Identify barriers and gaps in services, including availability, accessibility, timing, format, and delivery method.
– Examine differences across demographics such as age, gender, ethnicity, region, and socioeconomic status.
They know there are inequities in cancer care, especially for marginalized communities, and that delivery of support has changed significantly since COVID-19. This survey will help them understand both what people need and how they want to receive support.
Who can participate?
Anyone 18+ who has experienced cancer themselves, whether currently undergoing treatment or previously treated. Participation is voluntary, anonymous, and confidential, and the survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
REGISTER HERE
15. HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE
EXTRA™ Fellowship Open House
Join us for a virtual open house to learn more about EXTRA, Healthcare Excellence Canada’s (HEC’s) team-based leadership development program focused on helping leaders improve healthcare quality and safety. Explore how EXTRA supports leaders and teams in building their capacity to accelerate improvement, working on real-world improvement projects and turning improvement ideas into lasting change. You’ll also get a firsthand look at our coaching approach and can ask questions. HEC will offer EXTRA open houses in both English and French.
Open House (English)
Date: March 31, 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
Open House (French)
Date: April 2, 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
From framework to action: Launching the HEC Health Equity Framework
Join us for the first webinar in the two-part HEC Health Equity Framework webinar series of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Virtual Learning Exchange. We’ll explore the co-development of HEC’s Health Equity Framework and how the framework’s actions can advance access to safe, high-quality care. Participants will gain an understanding of the guiding commitments behind the framework, its eight actions, and how individuals, teams, and organizations can create safer, more inclusive, and equitable care.
Date: March 3, 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
16. WELLWOOD CANCER RESOURCE CENTRE (see attached)
Symptom Management: Strategies to Help you Live Well with Cancer
Cancer and its treatments can result in many difficult symptoms for patients, such as fatigue, pain, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and more. Join us for a conversation about evidence-based, self-care strategies that can improve comfort and quality of life. In this session, we will highlight how Wellwood’s range of programs can support your symptom management.
Date: Tuesday, Mar. 10 | Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Guest Speaker: Dr. Kylie Teegart
Format: Via Zoom (a meeting link will be sent closer to the date)
If you’re interested in the topic, feel free to register by replying to this email, calling us at 905-667-8870, or completing the online form.
Recordings of our previous lectures are available here.
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If you have anything you’d like us to let the AYA CAN community know about, please send it to us and we will include it in our next newsletter.
Thank you for reading!