The change agent

Age: 34
Company: Young Adult Cancer Canada
Business: Advocacy and support for young adults with cancer in Canada
2009 EOY category: Social entrepreneur

Geoff Eaton is a two-time cancer survivor who started an organization with one purpose: to give hope to young adults diagnosed with cancer. "Cancer is a uniquely difficult journey for young adults," says the St. John's resident. "One of my main goals is to change the way the Canadian health system and community organizations manage young adults with cancer before, during, and after treatment."

At 22 Eaton was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. With a less than 2% chance of survival at one point, he defied all odds. He underwent 47 days of chemotherapy, a lifetime dose of full-body radiation, two bone-marrow transplants, and countless blood transfusions, plus he spent 31 days in the intensive care unit and 23 days in a drug-induced coma. "The system is designed to support older generations, not patients my age," says Eaton. "I felt isolated throughout my experience."

To cope, in 1998 Eaton started an email group to share his story; those tales morphed into a web-community support system that today has 500 members and 3,500 visitors a month. It would become the precursor to St. John's-based Young Adults Cancer Canada (YACC), a not-for-profit support, education, and advocacy resource for Canadian young adults with cancer. "YACC's creation came from a place that many only discover when facing their mortality," says Eaton. "Cancer let me consider the idea of my legacy much earlier than anticipated."

Since its inception, YACC has increased revenues year-over-year by more than 30%, independent of government funding or grants. In fact, YACC is the country's leading support and advocacy organization for young adults with cancer in Canada, with five primary programs. Says Eaton: "I hope my life will be a symbol of the hope and power within one individual to influence change."

What did you want to be when you grew up: A hockey player, then Spiderman, and later an "owner."
First job: I grew up in a ladies' fashion store that my mother owned. It was a constant source of activity and eventually a source of employment. I also flipped burgers at A&W, which was the most valuable customer-service experience I've ever had.
Most surprising thing on your CV: Apart from the fact that I've actually earned a degree in business, that I've shared my story with more than 65,000 people.
Personality type: I know what it is using the Myers Briggs personality indicator, but telling you would make figuring me out much too easy.
Best strength: At work, creativity. At home, changing diapers.
Weakness: At work, focus. At home, cooking (although I'm working on the latter).
Biggest regret: I don't have regrets. I feel if you learned from an experience, then it was valuable. However, I do have a habit of speaking without thinking.
Proudest moment: Adia Eaton, born Oct. 6, 2006, and Mira Eaton, born March 27, 2008.
Have you ever worried about losing everything: No. When you've been where I've been—you've seen the end of your life—losing things becomes less significant.
Business mentor: Many, including Jeff Mooney, the chair of A&W Food Services Canada, and Gary Wadden, the CEO of M5 Marketing Communications. Both continue to share their wisdom with me as I work to grow YACC into a sustainable national organization.
What is your idea of progress: Tackling tough challenges.
How would you like to improve yourself: Put on 15 pounds and continue to rebuild my strength and stamina.
How would you like to improve your organization: Refine our internal systems and increase our communications excellence to reach a much higher percentage of our target.
How should we develop an entrepreneurial culture: Less government involvement, more access to mentors and startup capital, and more emphasis in school on business, creativity, and innovative thinking.
How do you achieve a work/life balance: I come home at 5 p.m. every day. I take at least one day off after travelling to be with my girls. I exercise during the workday and I work in the evenings after my girls are asleep.
What are you reading right now: A New Earth: Awakening to your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle.
What do you do in your spare time: Play Rockband.
Most treasured possession: The hockey stick my father bought me when I was first diagnosed with cancer.
Words to live by: Always live life, love life.
Guilty pleasure: Salty and sweet.
What expression do you most overuse: Give 'er.
When are you the happiest: When I've got my girls in my arms-all three of them.
What's your next big move: I'm in negotiations with my wife for child No. 3.