New group connects Metro Vancouver millennials affected by cancer

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you or someone you know is diagnosed with cancer, it can be helpful to speak with someone who understands your situation.

A new group in Vancouver is focused on just that, connecting millennials to give them a chance to make a difference together.

“For me it was really important to bring together a group of folks that were individually impacted by blood cancer, either personally or through a loved one as well,” says Ramya Hosak, the creator of the Ambassador Leadership Committee (ALC).

“We wanted to bring a group of about twenty to forty year olds [together] and really make them feel like they were empowered in their own community to make a difference.”

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The committee, which is made up of volunteers, meets about once a month to share their experiences and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada.

Leigh Taveroff is part of the committee She lost her mom to lymphoma last year, and now she wanted to connect with people who understand what she’s going through.

“I kind of was really closed off after what happened with my mom and I didn’t feel that there were a lot of people in my age group who would really understand what I’ve been through.”

Hosak would like to see more charitable causes like this that target millennials.

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The idea for ALC originally came from Hosak’s involvement with Young & T1, a group she helped create for millennials like her who live with Type 1 diabetes.

“When I was diagnosed I felt like a lot of the resources were targetted to children or parents of children.”

The ALC is currently fundraising for this year’s Light the Night walk at Stanley Park and has a goal of $15,000.

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