The first week of April is Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week. AYA refers to individuals between the ages of 15 and 39, and April offers an important opportunity to highlight the unique challenges teens and young adults face not only during treatment, but throughout survivorship.
Support through every stage of that journey is critical. Four Diamonds provides comprehensive care to eligible patients during treatment and beyond. The Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital Childhood Cancer Survivorship Clinic educates and guides patients as they navigate long term effects after treatment. In addition, Four Diamonds young adults have access to a wide range of resources, including a genetics counselor, social worker and other supportive care services.
For Lauryn, a Four Diamonds young adult diagnosed with leukemia at 20 years old, life changed in an instant. One day she was attending college classes and spending time with friends. The next, she was beginning cancer treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
As Lauryn adjusted to this new reality, many aspects of her life were put on hold. Her academics paused for two years, and she was unable to see friends due to her demanding treatment and compromised immune system during the COVID 19 pandemic. Through it all, she leaned on a strong support system, staying connected with family and friends through calls, FaceTime and texts. “Emotionally, it’s overall frustrating. You wake up not knowing how your body and mind are going to feel, and there is no ‘normal.’ Every day was different,” Lauryn shared.
Throughout her treatment, Four Diamonds provided Lauryn with both financial and emotional support, including access to social work, a chaplain and psychological services. She also found a sense of normalcy through the physical activity program, which offered guidance tailored specifically for cancer patients. “It gave me a normal, pre-cancer feeling that I had not experienced in two years,” she said.
Today, as a survivor, Lauryn is focused on both her future and helping others navigate their own journeys. She continues to utilize survivorship resources to manage long term effects of her cancer and to plan for what lies ahead.
Her experience has also shaped her career path. Now working as an exercise physiologist, Lauryn helps cancer patients maintain and rebuild physical function during treatment through targeted exercise designed to reduce side effects and improve quality of life. “I love connecting with them in ways that others cannot, just because of our shared experience. Understanding their emotions makes me a better provider,” Lauryn said.
Stories like Lauryn’s highlight the importance of specialized support for adolescents and young adults facing cancer. During AYA Cancer Awareness Week, and every day, Four Diamonds remains committed to ensuring patients receive the care they need during treatment and the support to move forward with strength, resilience and hope.