I am an active survivor of triple-negative breast cancer.
I was diagnosed when I was 32 and so far I have completed 16 rounds of chemo, had a double mastectomy, and will continue maintenance treatment over the next year.
The Young Adult Program at Roswell Park offers support and services specifically designed patients like me in their 20s and 30s. Young Adults account for nearly 90,000 new diagnoses annually, yet we are often overlooked when it comes to specialized physical, emotional, social, and practical help. We face daunting challenges with relationships, dating, fertility, insurance, employment, returning to school, living life after cancer, and the fear of relapse. Please join the LOVE FEST team or donate to one of our team members to help support patients like me and provide our young adults the help they need!
Being a young adult with a cancer diagnosis is a unique experience. We often times have interactions with medical providers that minimize our symptoms or dismiss concerns because we’re “too young.” Unfortunately my first experience with cancer was a series of those unfortunate events. After I was diagnosed, I knew I had to have my care transferred to Roswell Park. Roswell Park was a game changer that put a lot of my anxiety to rest. I was able to immediately trust that my medical team would give me the best treatment and direct me to other services for support. I learned about the Young Adult Program on my first day and joined a couple weeks into my treatment (I wasn’t quite ready to join the cancer “club” on day one). The Young Adult Program at Roswell Park has truly changed my life. It has introduced me to friends that I can relate to, allowed me to relax and remember to care for myself, and reminded me what it’s like to LIVE.