For those of you who are not on Facebook or who don't get our local paper

AFTER BARB STINGO was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2002, she reached out to a support group to help her cope with the issues she was facing.
However, everyone in the group was older than she and most were not facing the same problems, such as dating complications. Stingo attended the group for about a year before she stopped going.
Two years later, she still felt the need to share her concerns with people who would understand what she was going through; she didn’t want to burden family or friends.
Then Stingo found just what she needed – a support group for young adults with cancer.
She found a small newspaper article stating that a Young Adults Conquering Cancer (YACC) group was starting in Abbotsford, and she immediately contacted the founder, Julie Drybrough. The two became instant friends and are now among a membership of about 15 – all women, at this point – who have been meeting since December.
They have formed a fast bond, often keeping in contact outside of the meetings.
“When one person is down, we all rally around each other,” Stingo said.
She and Drybrough want more people to know that the group exists and that new members – including men – are welcome with open arms. YACC is open to anyone from the ages of 18 to 40 who is battling cancer or who has survived the disease.
Drybrough started YACC because she found that other support groups consisted mainly of older people.
“There are different dynamics involved when you’re young and dealing with cancer,” she said.
These issues include fertility concerns; dating, new relationships and marriage; and raising young children.
“We talk about issues we’re going through with our children . . . how we can explain things to them to make it (having a parent with cancer) less scary,” Drybrough said.
She said they also talk about the limitations their illnesses can place upon them and the frustrations this can cause. For example, many of the members have husbands and children, but they are often too exhausted to participate in family activities.
“With my cancer, I get tired a lot and I just have to sleep,” Stingo said.
This means that she can’t always do things with her husband, Peter, but she said he is supportive when she needs to rest.
Stingo has a rare and slowly progressing form of cancer called polycythemia vera, which occurs when excess red blood cells are produced as a result of an abnormality of the bone marrow.
There is no cure, and she has a 30-year life expectancy from the onset of the disease. She must take oral chemotherapy every day for the rest of her life.
The side effects of this treatment include nausea, dizziness, hot and cold flashes, and fatigue. Some days are worse than others, and there is no predictability to her symptoms.
A secondary cancer – cervical – developed after her initial diagnosis, and this resulted in a mandatory hysterectomy.
“That was difficult. At that time, I was single and it was very hard to find a guy who could accept that: a) I have cancer and b) I can never have kids,” Stingo said.
She and Peter were friends for six years before their relationship developed into romance. He accepted her illness, and he didn’t want to have any more children (he has an 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship). The two were married in January of this year.
Stingo finds it beneficial to be able to share the physical and emotional pain of her condition with others who understand.
Drybrough is among those, herself suffering from a rare genetic condition called Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. (The News featured her story in its April 21, 2007 edition.) VHL results in Drybrough developing brain and kidney tumours. All three of her daughters have tested positive for the condition.
Another member of the support group is well-known public speaker Feather Janz, who is currently battling her second bout with breast cancer.
The trio plan to attend a cancer retreat this July in Quebec for people ages 18 to 35. The purpose of the trip – hosted by a group called RealTime Cancer – is to learn coping skills and gain information that they can pass on to members of the support group.
A concert to raise funds for the trip takes place Saturday, April 12 at Sardis Secondary, 45460 Stevenson Rd. Performers are Marika, Chris Janz (Feather’s husband), Lisa Adrianne and The NeverKnown. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $10 at the door.
Donations may also be sent to: Box 45, Matsqui Station Main, Abbotsford, V4X 1T0. Make cheques payable to “YACC.” Tax receipts can be issued when requested.
Meanwhile, YACC meets the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at Edenvale Retreat, 4330 Bradner Rd