Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month
A cancer diagnosis for young adults can carry its own unique experiences and challenges, requiring equally unique and specific support. This April, help us share the experiences of the incredible young people we support.
In Ireland, Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week takes place the first week of April and in the UK, April marks Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month. Reflective of our all-island support, we will be sharing the experiences of the wonderful young people we support throughout the month of April.
Every week across the island of Ireland, up to 10 children and young people (aged 0–24) are diagnosed with cancer. A cancer diagnosis for young adults can carry its own unique experiences and challenges, requiring equally unique and specific support.
We are part of the regional Adolescent and Young Adult Service (AYA) for Northern Ireland, alongside a range of other charities and all Health Trusts. A similar collaborative approach to partnership working is fostered in Ireland.
Our dedicated team of Cancer Support Specialists provide flexible emotional, social and therapeutic support to young adults and their families in their home, in hospital, and in their community in every county across the island of Ireland.
Our team of Youth Support Workers provide support at St John’s Ward Crumlin in Ireland, and across the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast City Hospital, Ulster Hospital, Antrim Area Hospital, Altnagelvin Area Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital in NI.
When I was going through treatment, I was the youngest by about 20 years on my ward. I knew that there were other young adults diagnosed with cancer, but I hadn’t seen any of them yet. In October 2024, I went to Daisy Lodge for a Young Adult short break, and this was the first time I met anyone else my age who was diagnosed with cancer.
Daisy Lodge was like a getaway from chemotherapy, appointments, the hospital and meeting people there my age for the first time was just amazing and comforting. It helped motivate me to complete my treatment. The short break gave me a chance to connect with other people and once you were ready, to begin to talk about it all. It was such a relief once I met the other young adults there. I now have strong bonds that I will carry with me forever.
Ella, Young Ambassador
This Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, we will be sharing the experiences of the incredible young people we support across our social media channels.
Follow along and find out more about the support we provide to teenagers, young adults and their families on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
