CHASING RAINBOWS: YOUNG ADULTS LIVING WITH CANCER

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …

I was a little nervous to watch it - it took me a while to get myself in the right space to be thinking about cancer again and what it has meant to me. I watched it this evening. I felt like I was in that living room. I cried. I laughed out loud. I watched it by myself, but I wish there'd have been someone here that I could have said "holy smokes, that's exactly how it felt for me too". What an amazing gift this is for young adults living with cancer, and for those that are supporting them/us! Thank you. --Robin Irving, 26 - Young Adult Cancer Survivor

I could relate only too well to the ever-shifting phases of fear, anger, hope and sadness...I felt as though I was at a support group meeting, nodding along with the survivors in the film – people who truly get it. --Karin DuBois, 25 - Young Adult Cancer Survivor

“Chasing Rainbows" was perfect. It addressed every issue that young adults deal with. I think it will be an unbelievable resource for young adults that don't have access to (support) groups like YACN. --Meghan Black, 29 - Three-time Cancer Survivor

I laughed, I cried and I learned a lot about the issues facing young adults with cancer. These 6 wise, witty and inspirational young people in “Chasing Rainbows” touch on all the important and sometimes avoided topics around living with cancer. I highly recommend this DVD for any young adult with cancer who wants to feel less alone on their journey. --Janie Brown - Oncology Nurse Counsellor; Executive Director, Callanish Society

The film reminded me that young people with cancer want desperately to feel "normal" (i.e. not sick, deformed or alone), loved and cared about by their friends and family and caregivers. A common obstacle for many care-givers, family members and friends is that we are often so terrified by young people having cancer that we do what is natural to us when we are terrified, which is to run away. Sometimes we run away emotionally when we can't run away physically. The young people portrayed in this film are telling us what they need......to be listened to, to be loved and to be treated as "normally" as possible. This film helps these young people to continue to reach out, and helps those of us who care for them to realize just what it is that they are going through and what they want others to know.  --Garnet Lythgoe - Oncology Nurse

I saw a poster about ‘Chasing Rainbows’ in the cancer agency and I ordered it from the BC Cancer Foundation. I watched it last night. It was so extremely powerful for me and I wanted to make sure I took the time to thank you for making it. I am 28 and 1.5 years cancer free right now. I didn’t know anyone else near my age that had cancer while I was battling it. I still don’t know anyone near my age that has battled it. Although I have a lot of support from friends and family, it is not the same as going thru it. I was mesmerized watching the entire discussion as they discussed all the same issues I felt. I just had to thank you, it means a lot to me.
-- Becky Petrov, 28, young adult cancer survivor

Thank you for giving Blair the opportunity to speak at your Chasing Rainbows screening. I have been supporting Blair for 10 months. Getting involved with Chasing Rainbows was one of the best things that I have seen happen to him. When we watched the DVD, it was the first time that I saw Blair show any type of emotion about his experience with cancer. He was always excited to get the phone calls or e-mails from you about it. I believe that his involvement in the presentation was a sort of healing /support for Blair; he felt part of something. We are all so proud of him.
-- Alice Zimmer, caregiver

We would love to hear from you! If you'd like to share your experiences and/or your reactions to Chasing Rainbows, please visit our blog and comment there. Or, you can send questions and/or feedback to Pat at [email protected].