Programs

Our Programs

Young adults diagnosed with cancer are required to press pause during such a pivotal time in their lives and often don’t receive consistent support from busy friends. Unfortunately, poor support can contribute to a negative response to treatment and overall worse health outcomes. Through two key programs, b-aware and b-connected, we are providing the information and tools that empower the social support network to be present from pre-cancer diagnosis through survivorship.

  • What is b-aware?

    b-aware is educating the general young adult community about the importance of being there for others. We’re proactively providing young adults access to important information and experiences that amplify and reinforce the importance of presence and inspire active change. By giving young adults the tools and experiences before a friend is diagnosed, they will feel empowered to be a strong supporter when the need arises.

    What is b-aware?

    b-aware b-informed b-empowered

    Not all of us will face a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime, but every single one of us will be called on to be a supporter. If we learn how to be the best possible supporter today, we have the power to improve the experience for others.

    Learn from the past.

    b-present.

    Change their future.

    Share Your Story
    • Leading Cause of Death

      Leading Cause of Death

      Cancer remains the #1 cause of disease-related death among young adults (YAs) between the ages of 18-39.
    • Survival Rates Are Not Improving

      Survival Rates Are Not Improving

      Unlike pediatric and older adult patients, YAs with cancer have seen little improvement in survival rates since 1975.
    • Social and Emotional Issues

      Social and Emotional Issues

      Isolation is the #1 psychosocial issue impacting YAs with cancer. Finding effective social support is often difficult for this age group.

    SOURCE: Couzin, 2007

    • “What I’ve learned this past year...⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ That the saying ‘Life is tough, but so are you’ couldn’t be more true. I have down days, days where I feel like my small world is ending but then I can truly look back at what I’m going through & to know I’m still standing keeps me going. ⁣💪⠀ ⁣⠀ That there is a world of humans I never knew existed and without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far. They are smart, supportive & empowering and all want to make the world a better place. ⁣👭⠀ ⁣⠀ Even when it may seem like the darkest times I will find some form of humour or positivity to keep a smile on my face. ⁣☺️⠀ ⁣⠀ That not everyone will be there for you the way you had hoped but that’s ok. ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ There is much more to life than worrying what people think of you. ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ That my body is my home forever & to be kinder to it. Understanding what it is going through & not to punish myself over it. ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ That through all the hard times I’m grateful to have experienced something that has taught me how precious life is & to make the most of every moment. ⁣💛⠀ ⁣⠀ Discovering who I am is rather terrifying but exciting. ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Life can seem unfair & take a lot away from you but it doesn’t mean it takes ‘you.’ I am still me.” —@georgieeswallow
    • b-present has exciting news to share!! We have been selected as a Semi-Finalist for the Astellas Oncology C3 Emerging Ideas Prize! The Semi-Finalists comprise an inspiring group of individuals that have a high potential impact. The #C3Prize sparks new, innovative ways of caring for cancer patients, striving to make every day better for those impacted by cancer. 💡 Thank you so much to Astellas for this amazing opportunity, and to our Support Squad for believing in us and helping us get our b-there tool this far. We are thrilled beyond words! 💪
    • Laugh and sing the night away with the b-present Foundation ft. entertainment by The Killer Dueling Pianos in San Diego's outdoor @QuartyardSD on October 19th! 🎹 Early bird tickets are on sale now 👉 bit.ly/BPDUELINGPIANOS
    • "Today is my 13th day in the hospital, and it looks like I'll be here into next week as well. Long hospital stays can be really hard on your morale, sense of normalcy, and sleep schedule. Having friends who show up to share their time, love, and care makes the long days more bearable. I'm so grateful for @theonlybernadette for her amazing company, thoughtful gifts, and help untangling the massive knot that is my hair! @sarah.e.haas for her incredible support, solidarity, and love, and pop up card that makes me smile every day! My amazing cousin Jacob Smith for the beautiful flowers, and his wonderful insight and love. And the incomparable @thesarahcat_ who shared memories of music school and CUA, and brought me so much joy and peace!" -@disablednotdefeated A friend by her side, 👭 and Atlas the service dog 🐕 curled up by her feet. The perfect balance of furry support and friend support. 💪 Happy #NationalDogDay!
    • For National Nonprofit Day, we want to give a huge shout out to our incredible Support Squad. 💪 Your time, presence, and willingness to learn with us does not go unnoticed. We couldn't be more grateful to have you all by our side during this adventure. 👭 2020 better get ready for all of the strong supporters we are going to create! 🙌 Want to join our #SupportSquad? Click the link in our bio!
    • We asked a room full of young adult cancer patients and survivors what the worst thing someone ever said to them after they were diagnosed, and some of their answers about knocked our socks off. 🙉 Head to b-present.org/blog to find out what they said!

  • What is b-connected?

    b-connected is providing the necessary tools to facilitate strong support for young adult cancer patients post-diagnosis through survivorship. We’re addressing the unique needs of these young adults throughout the treatment journey by working closely with patients, survivors, and supporters, to enhance the connectedness of social support networks.

    What is b-connected?

    The b-there Tool

    Our web-based patient and supporter connection tool, b-there, is designed to ensure the support network has the information they need to be there for the cancer patient from the day of diagnosis.

    The tool gives the patient a simple, low-stress way to control visits, convey status, and request needed items, allowing supporters to be responsive to the patient’s physical and emotional needs. Through the easy-to-understand patient dashboard, supporters can quickly get updates on how the patient is doing, what they need, if they want visitors, how they can help, and more.

    Interested in helping evaluate the b-there tool?  Check out the latest info on our testing.

    I Want to Help
    • Patient Status

      Patient Status

      Informs supporters how the patient is doing, the patient's preferred method of contact, and if they are welcoming visitors.
    • Calendar

      Calendar

      Lets supporters know when the patient is available, what activities are of interest to them, and how they can help.
    • Wish List

      Wish List

      Allows supporters to see what the patient needs, when they need it, and how they would like it to be delivered.