Finding My Local Young Adult Cancer Community
Written by Emily Hoffman
When I finished chemo and radiation treatment for cervical cancer at age 30, I felt so alone. I didn’t know any other cancer patients who were my age. I kept wondering where all the other young adult (YA) cancer survivors were. And did they feel as lost and misunderstood as I did?
Craving community, I started searching online and narrowed down to a handful of local and national cancer organizations that seemed geared towards YAs. Then, I got involved because I wanted to meet others like me. I started volunteering at local events for Children’s Cancer Connection in Des Moines, and I also hosted local meetups for other organizations.
I quickly learned that every organization has a different mission, people, and way of doing things. I learned it’s ok if not every organization ends up being a good fit for me, and that finding community is a bit of trial and error. It may take some time to find but is totally worth the effort because it can be life-changing to have community while going through cancer.
It was life-changing when I found an online community in Stupid Cancer because every YA cancer survivor there just got “it.” For the first time, I didn’t feel alone. We all had been told, “You have cancer,” at the same point in our lives, and we all had the same worries about now facing the rest of our lives as YA cancer survivors. I loved being a part of this online community. The only downside was that its members were spread across the country, and I still didn’t know any YA cancer survivors locally.
That’s how the Above + Beyond Cancer (A+BC) Young Adult Program began. It grew from the loneliness of two Central Iowa YA cancer survivors who were craving local community with others our age who have gone through cancer. The A+BC YA program’s goal is to cultivate community for YA cancer survivors, focusing on ages 18-40. We do this by offering FREE monthly programming where you can engage physically with nature, boost your creativity and mindfulness, connect with others, and share some laughs.
After attending my first few A+BC YA events, I started recognizing the same faces, which was comforting and a big part of why I kept coming back. I found myself looking forward to seeing these people again at the next event and wanting to get to know them more. I finally felt that sense of a local YA community that I’d been craving for so long!
The YAs in this community are genuinely kind and funny humans. They don’t judge, and they are quick to offer hugs and encouragement. Because of them, I started attending events outside my comfort zone, like pickleball and dance class. When I went to pickleball for the first time, I had planned to just observe from the sideline, mainly because I’m not very athletic. I ended up playing three games and having a blast!
Our community has gained momentum over the past year, and word is spreading about some of our popular programming, like Healing Art. This program allows for creative expression using different art mediums and journal prompts. The connections that form during Healing Art are the true bonus to this awesome program. If you haven’t experienced Healing Art yet, stay tuned because more is coming in 2026!
Other new YA programs for 2026 include a YA book club, a gathering at the Des Moines Art Center, forest bathing, and planting air orbs at the Botanical Center. There’s also our annual Al Fresco picnic social to look forward to because it is family friendly! It seems like there really is something for everyone throughout the year!
No young adult in Central Iowa should feel alone going through cancer. Give the A+BC YA program a try! Your community awaits!
Emily Hoffman is a twelve-year cancer survivor who was diagnosed with stage IIB cervical cancer at age 30. She is an active patient advocate who shares her cancer story to raise awareness for ending cervical cancer and to educate others on the importance of cancer prevention and screenings. Emily is a committee member for the Above + Beyond Cancer Young Adult Program and is the recipient of the 2020 Cervivor Spark Award and the 2022 Cervivor Champion Award. In 2023, she changed career paths to become a certified cancer registrar and has found meaningful purpose in this role.