First gig. First car. First job. First love.
Being young can be fun, exciting, awkward and challenging. It’s a unique and special time, full of big moments, milestones and memories.
You’re only young once. But imagine being told you have cancer just as life’s getting started. Every day in the UK, that’s the reality for seven young people.
Why we're raising awareness
Cancer can tear your teenage and young adult years apart. And without the right support, it can have a devastating impact on the rest of your life.
That’s why we’re here. Through our expert nurses, youth workers, and dedicated hospital units, we provide specialised care and support to help young people get through cancer and rebuild their lives after treatment.
We help young people hold onto their identity, independence and aspirations in the face of cancer. And we bring them together to support each other, making sure they don’t miss out on all the things that make being young special and unique.
When cancer tears your teens apart, we’ll help you pick up the pieces.
How we help young people like Daisy
We’re here for young people like Daisy, who was diagnosed with leukaemia aged just 16.
“I remember being so nervous entering the Teenage Cancer Trust unit,” says Daisy. “But my Youth Support Coordinator, Niamh, made treatment so much easier than I could’ve imagined.
“She makes hospital much less scary, and encouraged me to go to her social events. Making friends with other teenagers with experiences I could relate to meant I felt less alone.
“For a while, cancer affected so many things like my emotions, appearance and day-to-day life. But Niamh helped me realise cancer didn’t define me.
“I’m mainly full-time back at school now. I’m over halfway through treatment. I’ve come so far, although they’re not milestones I would have ever expected.”