Hey YSC, Where You Been?

We don’t have to tell you 2020’s been hard times. This dumpster fire of a year has knocked all of us for a loop. Even more if you got a breast cancer diagnosis this year. What could be more 2020 than being young and dealing with breast cancer?

It’s also no secret that the global pandemic has affected the entire nonprofit industry, with a third of nonprofits possibly closing their doors. We could not let this happen to YSC.

In July, most of our staff were furloughed to ensure our funding could support our programs. This month, not all of us were able to return. It sucks, but hardships are inevitable. We are defined by how we respond to them.

The YSC Community Always Shows Up

YSC’s strong foundation has always been our community and commitment to each other. This summer, so many people showed up to ensure young adults diagnosed with breast cancer could still find the support they needed. For that, we are immensely grateful.

Over the summer, countless volunteers ensured our Private Facebook groups remained a compassionate place to ask questions, support each other and find new breasties. Each month, our 6 different Virtual Hangouts, led by peer volunteers, met on Zoom to ensure people could turn to each other in difficult times. Hundreds of people downloaded our Navigator series, comprehensive guides for those who are newly diagnosed, post-treatment, metastatic and long-term survivors. Face 2 Face coordinators - volunteers who would normally gather their communities in person - got creative with how they could still meet and remain safe.

The Tour de Pink community didn’t let the cancellation of in-person events stop them. They rallied together and raised $191,000 to support programs that help the young adult breast cancer community. As survivors, metathrivers and co-survivors themselves, they dedicated their time, energy and money to a cause they love.

YSC’s supporters also stepped up. Our long-time partner Spencer’s continued to support YSC programs, even as their stores were forced to temporarily close due to the pandemic shutdowns. YSC’s pharmaceutical partners donated $223,000 to a COVID Emergency Fund to help YSC survive the global pandemic.

Okay, So What’s Next

This year has changed the world. It’s time to reimagine YSC and ensure we are meeting the needs of young adults affected by breast cancer right now.

Our commitment and mission remain the same: YSC is here to support, educate, connect and empower the young breast cancer community at every stage of their process. That will not change.

As your own best health advocates, we will be looking to you to guide us in these changes. We have begun a groundbreaking global effort called Project 528. This is the first-ever needs assessment to identify the most pressing needs not only in the United States but the worldwide community of young adults affected by breast cancer.

We will be reimagining the YSC Summit for a virtual format that is as special as convening 700 of us together in one place. This isn’t welcome news, we know. But with so many in our community who are immunocompromised and no concrete timeline for a vaccine, it’s necessary.

We’re also looking ahead to next fall when we hope we can launch the Tour de Pink. If you’ve never experienced the Tour de Pink bubble, we plan for next fall to be our biggest and best event yet.

All Together Now

Across the US, coronavirus cases are rising, but there are still so many ways you can connect to your YSC community.

• Join a YSC Private Facebook Group.
• Join us in one of our monthly Virtual Hangouts.
• Save your spot for the 2021 Virtual Summit to be the first to know speakers, session topics and community breakouts.