Davis Wideman: A few things I’ve come to learn about AYA patients
Davis Wideman, Pediatric and AYA Activities Coordinator at City of Hope, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“AYA.
Do you know what it stands for? Don’t worry…neither did I when I first started this job. However, this AYA Awareness Week I’d like to help change this for you and others!
It stands for Adolescent and Young Adult and represents anyone diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39. As I work heavily with this patient population, I’d like to share a few things I’ve come to learn about AYA patients.
1) Resilience of AYA Patients
Unlike adult patients who have already achieved major life milestones, AYA patients are navigating cancer while also facing the challenge of building a future beyond it.
They must balance issues like education, career, finances, fertility, and relationships while also managing the hurdles of cancer treatment. Their resilience in not letting cancer define their lives, despite these added struggles, is truly inspiring and sets them apart!
2) Initial Awareness
Before seeing it firsthand, many people (including myself), don’t realize how profoundly cancer disrupts the lives of AYA patients. Awareness of the challenges they face is crucial, especially in the early stages of diagnosis, to ensure they take important steps like fertility preservation, applying for disability, and building support systems.
3) How Easy It Is to Make a Lifesaving Difference
A simple action like donating blood can save multiple lives in just 30 minutes. Additionally, a quick cheek swab to join the Bone Marrow Registry could be the difference in saving a life. However, the unknowns often make it difficult for people to take that first step.
4) Connection Makes a Difference
Connecting with caregivers, medical staff, and fellow patients has a significant impact on an AYA patient’s outlook. Caregivers provide vital support, from transportation to emotional assistance, and shared experiences with other patients help alleviate feelings of isolation in an often lonely cancer journey.
5) Keeping It Normal
Engaging in everyday activities or having simple conversations, unrelated to their treatment, offers AYA patients a much-needed distraction and helps them cope. Even something as simple as a check-in or maintaining normalcy can have a significant positive impact on their mental well-being.
This week, all of us at City of Hope recognize and support every young person impacted by cancer. Let’s continue to raise awareness and advocate for the specialized care AYAs deserve.”
More posts featuring AYAs.
-
Challenging the Status Quo in Colorectal Cancer 2024
December 6-8, 2024
-
ESMO 2024 Congress
September 13-17, 2024
-
ASCO Annual Meeting
May 30 - June 4, 2024
-
Yvonne Award 2024
May 31, 2024
-
OncoThon 2024, Online
Feb. 15, 2024
-
Global Summit on War & Cancer 2023, Online
Dec. 14-16, 2023