Q&A with Alumnus of the Year

By Jeff Green | Oct. 8, 2015

Alumnus of the Year Geoff EatonGeoff Eaton, BBA’98, never really heard the word "can’t" while growing up. Raised by parents who were driven to make a difference at work and in the community, Mr. Eaton has an indomitable spirit to help others – particularly cancer survivors. After all, he’s been in their shoes. Six months after graduation at the age of 22, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. After extensive chemotherapy and radiation, he received a bone-marrow transplant, spending 31 days in intensive care and 23 days in a drug-induced coma. He overcame the odds and founded Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC), a national not-for-profit organization that provides a support network for young adults with cancer in Canada. The group has raised more than $8 million for its mission. Contributor Jeff Green caught up with Mr. Eaton to talk about his career and how he feels in being named Memorial’s Alumnus of the Year.

JG: How does it feel to help cancer survivors?
GE: Great yet unsatisfied. On one hand, YACC's work requires a very specific expertise, that of understanding and knowing how to work with the unique issues facing young adults with cancer, while on the other hand the most important part of our work is so simple … we bring people with common experiences together so they can connect and that is a transformative experience for them. Today there are roughly 50,000 young adults living through, with and beyond cancer in Canada and another 7,000 diagnosed each year. For every young adult we have helped to transform there are 49 unaware of YACC or unable to access our programs.

JG: Your group runs the popular Shave for the Brave program. Why is it significant?
GE: The Shave for the Brave has been the fuel that has propelled YACC's second phase of growth. The retreats, adventures, conferences, web networks, none of these things would exist at the scale they do without the Shave for the Brave. As a registered charity we can develop and deliver programs based on the resources we can raise to support those programs. The Shave gives people an opportunity to change someone's life… the most powerful haircut of their life!

JG: Who have been the biggest influencers on your career?
GE: Parents and family are huge. I don't ever remember hearing the word "can't" in my childhood, not to be confused with "not allowed." I've learned as much from my mentors. Asking for help is one of the most important steps you can take when you are building something from the beginning. As well, Karen, my wife, and my kids Adia, Mira and Kane, everything I do ultimately ties back to them.

JG: What does this honour from Memorial mean to you?
GE: I'm grateful for the acknowledgment and I'm grounded enough to know that I'm accepting this award on behalf of many people.

JG: How important was your Memorial education?
GE: I wasn't committed to going to university out of high school but my dad felt it was a very important next step so I willingly gave it a go. I remember graduating and even then was fascinated by the transformation that had occurred within me in those five years of studying business.

JG: What are your plans for the future?
GE: We are in the third phase of YACC and are committed to bringing it to the next level. Most young adults with cancer in Canada don't know about YACC and/or haven't had the chance to experience one or more of our programs. We are committed to changing that which means we are committed to growing the organization. Our focus for the future is "more"… more programs, more young adults connected and transformed, more resources to fuel those programs.

Mr. Eaton will be presented with the Alumnus of the Year honour during the 34th annual Alumni Tribute Awards on Monday, Oct. 19, at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland in St. John’s. Tickets are on sale now. Get them today!


Contact

Marketing & Communications

230 Elizabeth Ave, St. John's, NL, CANADA, A1B 3X9

Postal Address: P.O. Box 4200, St. John's, NL, CANADA, A1C 5S7

Tel: (709) 864-8000