What about the kids (and young adults)?

Earlier this year, the Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center began its Kid Support program, a free program for families with children ages 5-17 who have a parent, grandparent, other family member or friend with cancer, or for children who have cancer themselves. Kid Support offers children and teens an opportunity to make friends and learn skills to help them cope with the impact of cancer. The group meets each Thursday from 6-8pm, and parents/caregivers are welcome to join (RSVP required to register: 310-314-2555). To learn more about Kid Support offered at the CSC each week, please visit the CSC Benjamin Center website. 

   Kid Support: 

 WHO: For kids ages 5-17 affected by cancer

 WHAT: Children, Teen & Family  programs

 WHERE: CSC Benjamin Center (1990 S. Bundy  Drive)

 WHEN: Every Thursday from 6-8pm 

 WHY:

 - learn new skills for living with stressors of  cancer

 - get questions answered

 - learn helpful ways to communicate

 - learn relaxation techniques

 - have fun! (art, games, activities, etc.)

In addition to Kid Support, the CSC Benjamin Center offers dedicated support groups for young adults facing cancer, every Wednesday from 6-8pm. Over 70,000 AYAs are newly diagnosed each year. Last year, I attended an adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology symposium, where adolescents and survivors discussed the unique challenges facing this group, given that AYAs are old enough to understand the realities of a cancer diagnosis and yet, still young enough that they have the majority of their lives left ahead. 

YOUNG ADULT SUPPORT:

WHO: For young adults with cancer ages 18-40
WHAT: Support group
WHERE: CSC Benjamin Center (1990 S. Bundy Drive)
WHEN: Every Wednesday from 6-8pm
WHY: Los Angeles has a growing population of young adult survivors; this is an opportunity to come together in a trusting environment to share concerns and information. For more information, please click here. 

In addition to in-person group support, please check out further online resources below that may be helpful in navigating cancer as a young adult. 

• seventyK
• Resources for age-appropriate treatment including a Wellness Network for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals
• Critical Mass
• Provides a voice for the AYA cancer movement
• Journal of Young Adult Oncology (JAYAO)
• First cancer journal dedicated to the AYA population; provides a central forum for peer-reviewed articles, reviews and research in the field 
• Young Survival Coalition 
• Community of resources and support for young women with breast cancer
• Vital Options
• Provides video and radio content for everyone touched by cancer
• Stupid Cancer
• Community behind The Stupid Cancer Radio Show and the OMG! Cancer Summit for Young Adults
• Planet Cancer (now part of LIVEStrong)
• Support, resources and "cancertainment" for young adults with cancer