Cancer Kinship

To empower the cancer community to confidently face the disease through peer mentorship, survivor empowerment and education, free wigs, and community resource navigation services. Our programs and services are provided by caring and compassionate volunteers and staff.

Founded in 2018 by Yoli Origel, a 17-year survivor of Stage III Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Cancer Kinship emerged from Yoli’s personal journey through the emotional and physical challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Witnessing the overwhelming need for support, Yoli turned her experience into a mission to uplift and empower others. Since then, Cancer Kinship has become a vital resource for cancer patients, survivors, thrivers (individuals living with incurable cancers), and their care providers. The organization offers education, mentorship, free wigs, and critical resources addressing the physical, emotional, and social impacts of cancer.

In 2019, Cancer Kinship launched its flagship Peer Mentorship and Survivor Empowerment and Education programs, just months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. To meet the community's heightened needs, the organization introduced the Community Resource Navigation program in 2020. Later that year, Cancer Kinship took on the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s 25-year-old Free Wig Program, ensuring its continuation after Komen’s transition to a remote model and the closure of local offices. In 2021, Cancer Kinship rebranded the program and introduced virtual wig consultations, culminating in the 2022 grand opening of the Kinner Beauty Free Wig Salon, a warm, inviting space where clients regain confidence and dignity during treatment.

In September 2024, Cancer Kinship further expanded its impact by launching Kinner Beauty Wigs (www.KinnerBeautyWigs.com), a social enterprise where “beauty meets purpose.” Developed in partnership with UCLA Academies of Social Entrepreneurship and supported by Octane OC's Nonprofit Accelerator and The Samueli Foundation, this initiative generates crucial funding for Cancer Kinship’s charitable work. With 100% of net sales reinvested into its programs, Cancer Kinship has diversified its funding streams and strengthened its sustainability. This earned revenue model ensures the organization can continue providing life-changing support to cancer warriors, empowering them to face their challenges with hope and dignity for years to come.

Cancer Kinship uplifts the lives of approximately 400 cancer warriors and their families, annually, across Orange County through programs that reduce fear, inspire hope, and improve quality of life. Since the grand opening of the Kinner Beauty Free Wig Salon in 2022, we have helped restore dignity and confidence to over 300 individuals experiencing hair loss. Our mentorship programs create meaningful connections between survivors and newly diagnosed patients, offering guidance, support, and encouragement during their cancer experience.

In 2024, leveraging the strength of partnerships, we launched two Spanish Cancer Support Groups: one in collaboration with Hoag Hospital's Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living and another with the community organization, Cafecitos Hope. Additionally, initiatives such as Nature Walks for Cancer Recovery, developed in partnership with OC Habitats, combat social isolation, enhance access to survivorship resources, and encourage healthy lifestyles. These efforts are designed to address health disparities and reduce cancer recurrence risks.

Cancer Kinship By The Numbers - The Highlights:

Top Cancer Types: Breast (65%), Gynecologic (12%), Lung (8%), Colon/Colorectal (5%)
Gender: Female (90%), Male (10%)
Age Range: 19-96 Years Old; Top Age Groups: 31-40 yrs (18%), 41-50 yrs (22%), 51-60 yrs (28%)
Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic, Latino or Spanish Origin (55%), Asian (10%), Black or African American (5%), Mixed Ethnicity (2%)
Income Level: Under $19,999 annually (32%)
Top Five Referral Partners: Providence St. Jude (55%), Hoag Hospital Presbyterian/Melinda Hoag Center (20%), Providence St. Joseph Orange (12%), UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (5%), City of Hope (5%)
Geographic Location of Patients: Central OC (37%), North OC (35%), Coastal Cities (14%), South OC (6%)
Top Program Utilization by Order: Kinner Beauty Wigs, Community Resource Navigation, Survivor Empowerment & Emotional Support Groups/Mentorship

Every Cancer Kinship program is built with measurable outcomes, ensuring a lasting and positive impact on the lives of those we serve.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Orange County and the leading cause of death for at-risk populations facing significant health disparities (Orange County Health Profile, California Department of Public Health). The American Cancer Society reports an alarming rise in cancer diagnoses among younger populations in four screenable cancers: breast, colorectal, cervical, and prostate (American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures, 2024). Simultaneously, the number of cancer survivors nationwide is expected to grow by 24% by 2032, reaching 22.5 million (National Cancer Institute, Cancer Survivorship Statistics).

While significant resources are dedicated to cancer education and prevention, there is a critical gap in programs addressing the needs of cancer survivors, particularly in underserved communities. Cancer Kinship is committed to filling this gap by expanding our programs, raising awareness, and addressing health equity to ensure all survivors, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to the tools and support they need to thrive.

Your partnership can help us meet this rising demand and create a more equitable future for cancer survivors in Orange County. Together, we can empower survivors, improve quality of life, and reduce the devastating impact of cancer in our community.

We serve adult cancer patients of all cancer types who reside in Orange County, with a dedicated focus on serving low-income and at-risk population groups who face significant health disparities.

As a 17-year survivor of Stage III Triple Negative Breast Cancer and a nonprofit professional with over 30 years of experience, I know the power of community in overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Cancer is more than a diagnosis—it’s a storm where one experiences fear, uncertainty, and in many cases, isolation. That’s why I founded Cancer Kinship: to ensure no one has to walk this path alone.

Every day, I’m inspired by the resilience of the cancer warriors we serve and the unwavering support of our community. At Cancer Kinship, we believe in the transformative power of connection, education, and empowerment to help individuals navigate their cancer storm and thrive beyond treatment and surgery.

Together, we are building a brighter future where patients, survivors and care providers are supported, health disparities are addressed, and every individual has the opportunity to live a full and vibrant life. Thank you for joining us in this mission. Your partnership makes hope possible.

Yoli Origel, CEO | Founder | Cancer Warrior

As a breast specialist and surgeon of 35 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside countless individuals during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. I’ve seen firsthand the incredible strength of cancer warriors and the critical need for comprehensive support beyond the treatment room.

Cancer Kinship is a beacon of hope for our community, providing the education, mentorship, and resources that patients, survivors, and their families need to navigate the complexities of life after a cancer diagnosis. As the Board Chair, I am proud to support an organization that addresses the physical, emotional, and social challenges of cancer with compassion and expertise.

We are committed to bridging gaps in care, advocating for health equity, and empowering survivors to live full and meaningful lives. Cancer Kinship is more than a resource. Cancer Kinship is a community, and I invite you to join us in this vital work. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.

Dr. Michele Carpenter, MD FACS
Chair, Breast Imaging Technologies Certification and Accreditation Committee ASBRS
Medical Program Director, High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic, Providence St. Joseph, Orange
Board Chair, Cancer Kinship