Cactus Cancer Society

What Cactus Cancer Society does

Cactus Cancer Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 (originally as Lacuna Loft, rebranded in 2021) and headquartered in Oakland, California, that provides free online wellness and survivorship support programs for young adults aged 18-45 facing cancer, as well as their caregivers and co-survivors. Its core service is a portfolio of recurring and drop-in programs — including Art Workshops, Sketchy Business, Coffee & Oodles doodle journaling, Builders Workshop (LEGO via Zoom), Cancer Secrets anonymous postcards, 30 Minute Tune Up journaling, Book Club, and Guys Discussion Group — alongside advice columns (Ask Perrie, Awkward Auntie), the annual YA Cancer Gabfest week in December, and the Young Adult Voices Blog. All programming is delivered online via the organization's website and Zoom, which is the primary architectural choice: it eliminates geographic, financial, and inpatient barriers and supports participants from all 50 U.S. states and 15 countries. The technology stack is deliberately lean — Zoom, Kajabi, JotForm, GiveButter, Threadless — and the organization does not use AI/ML components.

The business model is community-funded rather than participant-funded: services are free to end users, and revenue is generated from individual donations (including The Greenhouse monthly giving program on GiveButter), corporate partnerships with oncology pharma and biotech firms (Amgen, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, Pfizer, Servier, Syndax), grants, merchandise sales through Threadless and limited-edition products (Rooted In Resilience 10th Anniversary Anthology at $35, Desert Dispatch art mailers at $25-$35), and paid continuing education courses for healthcare professionals (The Full Picture of AYA Cancer, The Art of Survivorship, and the bundled YA Cancer CE Course Bundle providing up to 16.5 CE credits for social workers). Distribution is entirely digital and self-serve, with awareness driven by social media (Facebook, Instagram, Threads), an email newsletter, blog content, earned media coverage (Everyday Health, KUSI News, CanvasRebel, Conquer Magazine), and the annual YAAY peer-to-peer fundraising competition, which generated over $71,000 collectively across the 2025 and 2026 candidate cohorts.

Customer segments split between a primary audience of young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers served free of charge, and a secondary audience of healthcare providers, social workers, and academic researchers who access CE courses, research recruitment tools, and the participant community. The organization operates with a small core team of 3 staff plus board and advisory support (Scientific & Medical Advisory Board, Rooted Voices Advisory Board of 18-45 year-old patients/survivors/co-survivors) and holds GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, placing it in the top 1% of U.S. nonprofits for organizational transparency.

Name

Cactus Cancer Society

Legal name

Lacuna Loft

Website

https://cactuscancer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cactus Cancer Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free online wellness, creative-expression, and survivorship support programs for young adults (ages 18-45) facing cancer, plus paid continuing education courses for healthcare professionals. All programming is delivered via website and Zoom to participants in all 50 U.S. states and 15 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs (EDAAAEAG), Online & Hybrid Creative Writing Workshops (EDAMAMAL)

Keywords

• Young adult cancer support
• Online wellness programs
• Survivorship support services
• Creative arts therapy
• Psychosocial oncology programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals. The Greenhouse is a monthly giving community where 100% of donations directly support young adults facing cancer programs.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships from pharmaceutical and healthcare companies including Amgen, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, Pfizer, Servier, Syndax, and others.
3. Merchandise and Product Sales: Sale of merchandise (t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, beach towels) through Threadless online shop, the Rooted In Resilience 10th Anniversary Anthology ($35), and Desert Dispatch art deliveries ($25-$35).
4. Continuing Education Course Fees: Fees for professional continuing education courses for social workers and healthcare providers (though programs are free for young adults facing cancer).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cactus Cancer Society delivers a portfolio of free, online wellness and survivorship support programs for young adults ages 18-45 facing cancer, combining live creative-arts workshops, peer discussion groups, journaling programs, and anonymous advice columns with paid continuing education courses for social workers and healthcare providers. Programs are delivered via the organization's website and Zoom, supplemented by mailed supply kits (e.g., Builders Workshop LEGO boxes) and limited-edition retail items such as the Rooted In Resilience anthology and Desert Dispatch art mailers.

Product overview

Cactus Cancer Society is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of free, online wellness and survivorship support programs for young adults (ages 18-45) facing cancer. The core offerings include creative expression programs (Art Workshops, Sketchy Business, Coffee & Oodles, Builders Workshop, Cancer Secrets), support groups (Guys Discussion Group), educational courses (The Full Picture of AYA Cancer CE Program, The Art of Survivorship CE Program, YA Cancer CE Course Bundle), advice columns (Ask Perrie, Awkward Auntie, Ask A Cactus), journaling programs (30 Minute Tune Up, Book Club), annual events (YA Cancer Gabfest), a blog (Young Adult Voices Blog), and merchandise (Rooted In Resilience Anthology, Desert Dispatch). All programs are delivered online via Zoom or the website, and are provided at no cost to participants regardless of diagnosis, location, or financial situation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YA Cancer Gabfest: Annual week of interactive survivorship crash courses for young adults facing cancer, typically held each December.
• Young Adult Cancer Advocate of the Year (YAAY)
• The Greenhouse
• Rooted In Resilience Anthology

Products and services

• YA Cancer CE Course Bundle A bundled learning package combining The Full Picture of AYA Cancer and The Art of Survivorship courses, providing 16.5 continuing education credits for social workers. Online, self-paced, and available on demand.
• The Art of Survivorship CE Program A self-paced continuing education course for social workers and healthcare providers focusing on anxiety, cancer-related fatigue, and fear of recurrence in young adult cancer survivors. Offers 7.5 CE credits.
• The Full Picture of AYA Cancer CE Program A comprehensive continuing education course covering unique medical, developmental, and psychosocial challenges faced by young adults with cancer. Includes topics on fertility preservation, sexuality, survivorship care, and emotional impact. Offers 9 CE credits for social workers, co-developed with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
• YA Cancer Gabfest An annual week of interactive survivorship crash courses for young adults facing cancer, featuring sessions on joining forces, survivorship wisdom, and community connection. Held each December.
• Builders Workshop A Lego building workshop where participants receive LEGO kits by mail and connect via Zoom with other young adults facing cancer. LEGO supply boxes provided for US participants.
• Sketchy Business A drop-in art hangout featuring quirky prompts, doodle challenges, and art therapy activities. No experience required; held weekly via Zoom.
• Art Workshops Art instruction workshops teaching basics of sketching, comics, painting, jewelry making, crafting, and more through guided sessions.
• Coffee & Oodles: A Doodle Journal Drop-In A creative workshop combining journaling and art, where participants respond to prompts through drawing or writing, blending art workshop environment with writing techniques.
• 30 Minute Tune Up A weekly journaling drop-in led by Jean Rowe, LCSW and Certified Journal Therapist, designed to help participants tune in, reset, and recharge through journaling techniques.
• Book Club A 4-week creative arts book club where participants read books (cancer or non-cancer related) and connect with other young adult cancer survivors and caregivers.
• Guys Discussion Group A monthly guys-only virtual discussion group for young adult cancer patients and survivors to connect and talk about cancer experiences. Led by Dennis Heffern, LCSW.
• Ask Perrie An anonymous advice column for young adults impacted by cancer, addressing questions about relationships, mental health, dating, caregiving, and identity after cancer. Responses written by Lauren Morales, LCSW.
• Awkward Auntie A sexuality and relationships Q&A column led by Dr. Anne Katz, answering questions about relationships or sex that young adults feel too shy to ask healthcare providers.
• Ask A Cactus An expert Q&A video series where healthcare professionals and young adult survivors answer community questions on topics including clinical trials, creative coping, fertility, nutrition, and side effect management.
• Cancer Secrets An anonymous postcard-sharing program where participants decorate postcards with secrets or confessions and mail them to be shared anonymously on social media, allowing community members to feel less alone.
• Rooted In Resilience: 10th Anniversary Anthology A limited-edition collection of stories, art, poetry, and reflections from young adults facing cancer, published to celebrate 10 years of community. Proceeds support free programs.
• Desert Dispatch A sustainability art initiative offering limited-edition mailers containing signed art prints, personal letters, creative prompts, and art paper. Priced at $25 for US delivery and $35 for international.

Quantifiable outcome

• Statistically significant reduction in anxiety, depression, loneliness, and psychological distress after joining programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped The Full Picture of AYA Cancer CE Program in partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This continuing education course provides comprehensive training for social workers and healthcare professionals working with young adults affected by cancer.
• AmgenminorOthersCorporate partner supporting Cactus Cancer Society's mission to end isolation for young adults facing cancer.
• Daiichi SankyominorOthersCorporate partner supporting Cactus Cancer Society's programs and mission.
• EisaiminorOthersCorporate partner supporting Cactus Cancer Society's programs and mission.
• GenentechminorOthersCorporate partner supporting Cactus Cancer Society's programs and mission.
• LillyminorOthersCorporate partner supporting Cactus Cancer Society's programs and mission.
• PfizerminorOthersCorporate partner supporting Cactus Cancer Society's programs and mission.
• ServierminorOthersCorporate partner supporting Cactus Cancer Society's programs and mission.
• SyndaxminorOthersCorporate partner supporting Cactus Cancer Society's programs and mission.
• I'm Not Done Yet FoundationminorOthersNonprofit foundation partner supporting young adults facing cancer.
• Blood Cancer UnitedminorOthersNonprofit partner in the young adult cancer community.
• b-presentminorOthersCommunity partner organization supporting friends and supporters to help end AYA isolation.
• Bright Spot NetworkminorOthersCommunity partner supporting young adult cancer survivors who are parents.
• Stupid CancerminorOthersCommunity partner - major AYA cancer organization providing summits, meetups, and digital programs.
• Elephants and TeaminorOthersCommunity partner - young adult cancer magazine and creative storytelling platform.
• First DescentsminorOthersCommunity partner - outdoor adventure programs for young adults impacted by cancer.
• Dear Jack FoundationminorOthersCommunity partner - retreats, wish-granting, and community programs for young adult survivors.
• Epic ExperienceminorOthersCommunity partner - adventure camps in the Rockies and virtual fitness programs.
• Teen Cancer AmericaminorOthersCommunity partner - builds and funds AYA-focused hospital programs nationwide.
• Ulman FoundationminorOthersCommunity partner - young adult-focused retreats, camps, and community-based experiences.
• True North TreksminorOthersCommunity partner - backpacking, canoeing, and mindfulness-based wilderness retreats.
• Young Adult Survivors United (YASU)minorOthersCommunity partner - peer wellness programs for YA survivors and co-survivors.
• Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteminorOthersCommunity partner - Dana-Farber's Young Adult Program for patients and families.
• Siteman Cancer CenterminorOthersCommunity partner - Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University.
• The James Cancer Hospital (Ohio State)minorOthersCommunity partner - The James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University.
• Gilda's Club MadisonminorOthersCommunity partner - cancer support organization.
• Triage CancerminorOthersCommunity partner - legal, insurance, and employment education for survivors and caregivers.
• Cancer and CareersminorOthersCommunity partner - career coaching, workplace rights education, and job resources.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stupid Cancer: One of the largest U.S. nonprofits focused exclusively on adolescents and young adults with cancer, offering summits, meetups, and digital programs — the most direct community and audience peer to Cactus Cancer Society's AYA online support model.
• Ulman Foundation: Young adult-focused retreats, community programs, and patient navigation for cancer patients ages 15–39. Direct peer in the AYA cancer psychosocial support category.
• Dear Jack Foundation: Delivers retreats, wish-granting, and community programs for young adult cancer survivors. Same beneficiary population as Cactus, with overlapping psychosocial-support and community-building offerings.
• True North Treks: Backpacking, canoeing, and mindfulness-based wilderness retreats for young adults affected by cancer. Overlaps Cactus's wellness/mindfulness programming, delivered through outdoor experiences.
• Young Adult Survivors United (YASU): Peer wellness programs for young adult survivors and co-survivors, including caregiver support. Closely aligned to Cactus's peer-led, online-friendly model.
• First Descents: Provides outdoor adventure programs for young adults impacted by cancer. Comparable in mission (ending isolation for AYA cancer survivors) though delivered through experiential rather than online creative channels.
• Epic Experience: Adventure camps in the Rockies plus virtual fitness programs for young adult cancer survivors. Comparable AYA audience with a hybrid in-person/virtual delivery model that competes for the same donors.
• Elephants and Tea: A young adult cancer media and creative storytelling platform producing a magazine and community content. Closely mirrors Cactus's creative-expression approach (Cancer Secrets, anthology, blog) for the same AYA demographic.
• Teen Cancer America: Builds and funds AYA-focused hospital programs nationwide. Targets the same adolescent and young adult oncology population with institutional partnerships, complementary to Cactus's community- and online-led approach.

Broad incumbents

• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Largest U.S. blood-cancer nonprofit and a confirmed co-development partner with Cactus on a CE program. A broad incumbent operating across research, patient services, and advocacy, overlapping Cactus's audience at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CactusCancer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cactus-cancer
• Instagraminstagram.com/cactuscancer
• Xx.com/CactusCancerSoc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cactus Cancer Society