Just a decade ago, teens and young adults with cancer were often isolated. No longer children, but not yet in their mature years, they were caught in the middle. Today, these patients are getting some much-needed attention.
Jeanelle Folbrecht is one of six experts offering patient education. (Photo by p.cunningham)At a time when their friends are striking out on their own and beginning to discover who they are, many adolescents and young adults with cancer are simply focused on beating their disease. And at City of Hope, they are getting help for their journey.
City of Hope medical and supportive care experts are implementing a program created by the Cancer Support Community and funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The educational series is free and designed specifically for adolescents and young adults with cancer, often known as “AYAs” for short.
The six-week Cancer Transitions series brings together patients with a wide variety of experiences for a program filled with useful tools and resources to better deal with cancer and life after the disease.
The third meeting of the series, which covers nutrition, takes place on March 27. Sessions take place every Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Platt Conference Center (Room 3). The last session in the series will be held April 10.
In addition to exercise, attendees learn about nutrition and emotional and social issues, as well as managing the disease and its effects during treatment and afterward. They also get to know others who are going through similar issues.
Participants between ages 18 and 39 are eligible for the program, which is presented by the departments of Supportive Care Medicine, Pediatrics, Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research and Rehabilitative Services. Participants may be up to two years out of treatment, and they must get approval by their physician to participate.
To reserve a space or learn more, contact Jo Ann Namm at 626-256-4673, ext. 64513, or jnamm@coh.org. Information also is available through a calendar listing at www.cityofhope.org/calendar.
