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Privacy Policy

Introduction

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At Cancer Connects Us, we deeply value and respect your privacy because we believe that caring means protecting your personal information as if it were our own. We are committed to transparency and ensuring that your trust is earned through honest, responsible handling of your data, so you can feel safe and confident while using our site and engaging with our community.

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Cancer Connects Us ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website cancerconnects.ca and produces the "Cancer Connects Us” podcast (collectively, the "Services"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, listen to our podcast, participate in our community, or use any of our Services. By using our Services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

 

Information We Collect

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Information You Provide Directly

We may collect the following personal information when you voluntarily provide it to us:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, mailing address

  • Story Submissions: Personal stories, experiences, and testimonials you choose to share

  • Communication: Messages, feedback, and correspondence you send to us

  • Event Registration: Information when you register for events, webinars, or workshops

  • Newsletter Subscriptions: Email addresses and preferences for our communications

  • Survey Responses: Feedback, opinions, and demographic information from voluntary surveys

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Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website or use our Services, we may automatically collect:

  • Technical Information: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system

  • Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, clicks, downloads

  • Podcast Analytics: Episode downloads, listening duration, geographic location (generalized)

  • Cookies and Tracking: Information collected through cookies and similar technologies

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Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

  • Podcast Platforms: Download statistics and listener demographics from hosting platforms

  • Social Media: Publicly available information when you interact with our social media accounts

  • Event Partners: Registration information from co-hosted events or collaborations

  • Healthcare Organizations: Contact information for potential expert guests (with their consent)

 

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes, based on our legitimate business interests, your consent, or legal obligations:

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Primary Purposes

  • Content Creation: Producing podcast episodes and website content

  • Story Sharing: Publishing personal stories with your explicit consent

  • Communication: Responding to inquiries, providing updates, and sending newsletters

  • Event Management: Organizing and managing events, workshops, and community activities

  • Website Operation: Maintaining and improving our website functionality

  • Analytics: Understanding how our Services are used to improve user experience

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Secondary Purposes

  • Marketing: Promoting our Services and related content (with your consent)

  • Research: Analyzing trends and improving our Services

  • Legal Compliance: Meeting legal obligations and protecting our rights

  • Safety: Ensuring the security and integrity of our Services

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Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Union, we process your personal data based on:

  • Consent: When you explicitly agree to our processing (e.g., newsletter subscriptions, story submissions)

  • Legitimate Interests: For website operation, analytics, and improving our Services

  • Contract Performance: When necessary to provide Services you've requested

  • Legal Obligation: When required by applicable law

 

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

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With Your Consent

  • Story Publication: Personal stories shared with your explicit written consent

  • Expert Interviews: Information shared during podcast recordings (with consent)

  • Testimonials: Reviews or testimonials you provide (with permission)

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Service Providers

We may share limited information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us:

  • Website Hosting: Companies that host our website and databases

  • Email Services: Platforms that manage our email communications

  • Podcast Hosting: Services that distribute our podcast content

  • Analytics: Tools that help us understand website and podcast usage

  • Payment Processing: Services that handle donations or paid content (if applicable)

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All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.

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Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or to:

  • Comply with legal processes or government requests

  • Protect our rights, property, or safety

  • Prevent fraud or illegal activities

  • Respond to emergencies involving personal safety

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Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law:

  • Contact Information: Until you unsubscribe or request deletion

  • Story Submissions: Indefinitely (unless you request removal)

  • Website Analytics: Aggregated data may be retained indefinitely

  • Communication Records: Up to 7 years for legal and business purposes

  • Technical Logs: Up to 2 years for security and operational purposes

 

Your Rights and Choices

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Under Canadian Law (PIPEDA)

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request information about what personal data we have about you

  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

  • Withdrawal: Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)

  • Complaint: File a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

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Under GDPR (EU Residents)

You have additional rights including:

  • Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format

  • Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")

  • Restriction: Request limitation of processing under certain circumstances

  • Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests

  • Automated Decision-Making: Rights regarding automated decision-making and profiling

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Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@cancerconnectsus.com. We will respond within 30 days (or as required by applicable law).

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International Data Transfers

If you are located outside Canada, please note that your information may be transferred to and processed in Canada. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

For EU residents, any data transfers outside the EU will be protected by:

  • Adequacy decisions by the European Commission

  • Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission

  • Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms

 

Security Measures

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We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction:

  • Technical Safeguards: Encryption, secure servers, access controls, regular security updates

  • Organizational Safeguards: Staff training, confidentiality agreements, access limitations

  • Physical Safeguards: Secure facilities and equipment protection

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However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

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Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Essential Functions: Enable basic website functionality

  • Analytics: Understand website usage and improve user experience

  • Preferences: Remember your settings and preferences

  • Marketing: Provide relevant content and advertising (with consent)

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Cookie Management

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality.

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Third-Party Analytics

We use services like Google Analytics to understand website usage. These services may collect and process data according to their own privacy policies.

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Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete such information.

 

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:

  • Posting the updated policy on our website

  • Sending an email notification to registered users

  • Displaying a prominent notice on our website

The "Last Updated" date at the bottom of this policy indicates when it was last revised.

 

Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that poses a risk to your privacy rights, we will:

  • Notify relevant authorities within 72 hours (as required by law)

  • Notify affected individuals without undue delay

  • Take immediate steps to contain and remedy the breach

  • Conduct a thorough investigation and implement additional safeguards as needed

 

Contact Information and Complaints

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General Inquiries

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices:

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Data Protection Complaints

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Canada

Privacy Commissioner of Canada

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European Union

You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority. A list of EU supervisory authorities is available at: https://edpb.europa.eu/about-edpb/board/members_en

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Consent

By using our Services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us, though this may limit your ability to use certain Services.

 

Additional Protections for Sensitive Information

Given the health-related nature of our content, we take extra care with sensitive information:

  • Medical Information: We do not collect detailed medical records or diagnosis information

  • Story Sharing: All personal health stories are shared only with explicit, informed consent

  • Expert Guests: Healthcare professionals' participation is voluntary and professional

  • Community Support: Information shared in support contexts is kept confidential as requested

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​Last Updated: September 1, 2025

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