20 years of caring for young people with cancer
06 September 2024
Patients, staff, special guests and families have come together at a special event to celebrate 20 years of the Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer service.
The service, based at Peter Mac, was started in 2004 to provide additional support to cancer patients between the age of 15 – 25 years.
Associate Professor Kate Thompson and Dr Jeremy Lewin.
AYA Program Director, Associate Professor Kate Thompson, said the event was an opportunity to acknowledge two decades of caring for young people with cancer.
“It was such a thrill to see the young people who have been part of the AYA service come the event and help us celebrate a significant milestone for cancer care in Victoria,” Kate said.
“The AYA service was created because we recognised the survival rates and quality of life for adolescent and young adult cancer patients did not match those of adult patients, and that a specialised service was needed to close this gap.
“The service has grown from a clinical team of three to a much larger team that provides a comprehensive clinical program as well as a statewide support, education and training program that aims to support the health and life needs of young people with cancer.
“The service receives support from the Australian Federal Government via the Youth Cancer Service network and CANTEEN, and the Victorian State Government,” Kate said.
The AYA service has supported almost 3000 young people since being established and provides care to approximately 200 young people with a new cancer diagnosis each year.
Dr Jeremy Lewin, the AYA Service’s Medical Director, acknowledged the contribution of the many different organisations that support the AYA service including the Youth Cancer Advisory Board (YCAB).
“The cancer journey for adolescent and young adults is different to the journey of children and adults. This is why the AYA Service exists but we still need young people to help us guide and shape the way we provide this care,” Jeremy said.
“YCAB continues to instrumental in shaping the cancer care for young people in Victoria.
“The AYA service is fortunate to have also had the support of so many organisations over the last 20 years.
“We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the work the service does, in particular staff both past and present for their commitment and compassion.
“Supporting young people with cancer can be challenging at times and while we celebrate 20 years of the AYA service we also remember those who have lost their lives to their illness. Their memory lives on in the work that we do, each and every day,” he said.
The AYA Cancer Service would like to thank:
- The Board and Executive of Peter Mac
- Victorian Government including Kathryn Whitfield, Barry Curren and Liz Simkis
- Centre for Adolescent Health including Professor Susan Sawyer and Annie Warringah
- Colleagues at The Royal Childrens Hospital & MCRI including Professor David Eisenstat and Maria McCarthy
- Partners The Royal Hobart Hospital and Monash Health
- The Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service in particular Justine Carter and Chris Williams
- Canteen Australia and the broader National Youth Cancer Services including CEO Peter Orchard, Siona Hardy and Megan Baiocchi
- Members of the AYA Cancer Statewide Steering Committee
- The Sony Foundation Australia including CEO Sophie Ryan
- Koala Kids including executive director Mandi Mandie
- The Youth Cancer Action Board and our broader Youth Advocates