Yael Cohen - Henry IV Prize
Yael Cohen is the founder, president and CEO of Fuck Cancer, a cancer education organization aiming to activate Gen-Y to engage with their parents about early detection, preventative lifestyles and communication around cancer. Yael launched Fuck Cancer in 2009 after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Determined to marshal strength for her mom, Yael decided to use the “F” word to fight the “C” word.
Yael herself serves as an advocate for a range of health and health care issues and through her work with Fuck Cancer, she is changing the way people talk about cancer by creating a human, authentic movement. Now at four years old, Fuck Cancer creates unique tools and campaigns that people can relate to, using technology, humor, and celebrities to enable their community to engage with cancer on a different level.
Yael is not only versed in health care issues, but has also become a recognized leader in philanthropy and social entrepreneurship. As ELLE reports, Yael is “harnessing her generation’s secret weapon – social media – by building an online community for friends and family…’We are the first generation with the technology to change the whole world.'”
In 2011, Yael was named one of the “12 people who are transforming philanthropy” by Canada’s The Globe and Mail. In 2012, Yael was named one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business,” featured as one of ELLE‘s “2012 Genius Award” recipients, one of “Canada’s Most Powerful Women” by the Financial Post, and one of Vancouver’s “Forty Under 40” by Business in Vancouver Magazine. Yael has also been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award and has been a featured participant in prominent events including the Summit Series (Washington, D.C. and Miami), the Clinton Global Initiative, Big Omaha, TEDWomen, TEDx Vancouver, the United Nations Nexus Conference, and TEDMED.
Social Media:
Website – www.letsFcancer.org
Twitter – @yael @letsfcancer
Facebook – Fuck Cancer