About Us

Our Story

OMG formed in January 2015 after a group of young(ish) women with breast cancer met during Rethink Breast Cancer's Live Laugh Learn gatherings. When that program came to an end, as newfound friends, we decided to form a grassroots collective and start organizing gatherings on our own. Almost 10 years later, we have grown from a handful of members to a community of 100 and inspired similar gatherings across Canada. Our membership continues to thrive as we connect with new members who share this experience.

Who Can Join?

Our group welcomes individuals at any stage in their breast cancer experience, including those who are newly diagnosed, beyond active treatment and those living with metastatic cancer. Anyone diagnosed with breast cancer from the Ottawa area who feel they would benefit from connecting with our group is welcome to join us.

Why We Gather

Ever looked around the Cancer Centre and locked eyes (and smiles!) with that one other youngish person in the waiting room? For many of us, finding a community to help us navigate all the chaos that a cancer diagnosis brings at our stage in life has been the single, greatest silver lining. From conversations about careers, changed family dynamics, childcare, dating, side effects, recurrences ... nothing is off the table for discussion! We laugh a lot...and sometimes we cry. We lean on and celebrate each other, create lifelong friendships, and pay it forward by offering space to others who are newly diagnosed. Many members express relief in finding a community that understands our unique set of challenges. Simply put, we just get it.

Member Spotlight

Here you'll find some of the people that make up OMG (in alphabetical order, by first name). We are each unique, but share this one, common thread of being diagnosed with breast cancer in our 20s, 30s or 40s. We hope that reading the profiles below will help you know that you are not alone.