I was a student attending McGill University. School was never really for me—I didn’t particularly connect with any of the subjects I was learning and felt stuck in a system that was unexciting and pre-planned. The feeling of wanting to work for myself in order to create and bring to life my own ideas is what pushed me to leave school, and definitely helped in starting my own organization. 

Philanthropy has always been extremely important to me; it was very much apart of my parents’ value system and was constantly reinforced throughout my childhood with lessons like, “Being in a position to give back to your community and to help people in need is the greatest gift of all.”

At the time, I felt there were important outlets missing the charity space. Most charities were throwing fancy expensive galas outside of a 19-year-old price range. I wanted to create an experience for the younger generation to get involved in an affordable, fun environment.

One of my favorite parts of our charity is that each logo color represents a different cancer ribbon so everyone can be together still supporting the cancer they have a personal connection to.

I held onto my mother’s words, “Life doesn’t owe you anything—you owe it to yourself to make your life the best that it can be.” I know she wouldn’t accept anything other than me being positive and moving forward.

I was fortunate enough to have the love and financial support of my father and family. The great thing about the events is that they don’t require much overhead, and since it was a grassroots movement, the brand awareness and support grew organically!

I definitely felt a connection; as a young adult, I feel that our generation can be the driving force behind some of the most inspiring and positive movements. These events take logistical planning and on-the-ground support. Of course, we measure success based on what we raise financially and the amount of exposure and awareness we generate, but more importantly, a successful event for me is one that plays a role in bringing people together and allowing them to feel the bond and connection that’s created when we all collectively unite in this fight.

It has been incredibly exciting to watch this organization grow from something that started in my basement with one laptop, to where it is today!

We had always known about each other and finally met last year in person. We instantly connected and shared a strong desire to make a greater impact in the Cancer space. It was clear that by joining forces and collaborating instead of competing, we would be able to accomplish so much more.

Having the constant opportunity to connect and speak with others who have been affected by this disease. Hearing that our organization has made even the slightest difference for someone dealing with Cancer is an incredibly rewarding feeling.

The most challenging part is not allowing yourself to fully feel and fall apart emotionally every time you hear about someone else’s struggle.

Just do it! The most important move is to move forward.

Truthfully, it’s something I struggle with. I have a hard time detaching at the end of the day!

I really look forward to growing the charity and continuing to provide people with raw, authentic experiences. I hope whatever I choose to do in my life, it incorporates helping others in need!