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‘You Can’ is a youth cancer program launched by Sony Foundation Australia in 2010. In partnership with the Federal Government and cancer charity Canteen, we launched this national youth cancer initiative to establish a network of age-appropriate specialised youth cancer centres and services around Australia. Sony Foundation Australia funds these specialised youth cancer centres and services to address the gap in the health care system that exists for young Australians.  

6,000+

Patient Visits

8

Hospital Partners

$11.5 million

Donated to youth cancer 

10,000

nights of emergency accommodation 

You Can will continue to change the course of cancer care nationally for adolescent and young adults (AYA’s) diagnosed with cancer. With more AYA’s diagnosed with cancer than children each year, we are determined to give these young people a voice, listen to their needs by working with governmental, medical, and corporate Australia to deliver tangible solutions.

ISSUE:

Following a Senate Inquiry Sony Foundation learned of a gap in care that existed for young cancer patients aged 15 – 25 in Australia.

SOLUTION:

Sony Foundation launched the national youth cancer initiative, ‘You Can’ to close the gap that currently exists for 15 – 25 year olds with cancer.

PROGRESS:

Eleven years running and You Can continues to steadily advance across Australia with new centres, programs and research.

AYA patients diagnosed with cancer each year in Australia

Need identified is age-appropriate spaces and activities in the hospital to reduce emotional stress

More likely to experience mental health issues

Total lifetime costs for a young person diganosed with cancer

FUNDS RAISED HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO 

You Can Centres

  • 5 You Can Centres
  • Perth - $1.8 million Opened in 2013 | Melbourne - $1.5 million Opened in 2016 | Brisbane - $1.8 million Opened in 2019 | Sydney (Randwick) - $1.5 million Opened in 2020| Sydney (Camperdown) - $1.5 million Opening in 2021
  • 1865m2 of space in hospitals dedicated to teenagers and young adults with cancer
  • 4,122 patient visits to a You Can Centre since 2013
  • 8 hospital partners
  • Workshops hosted in You Can Centres by: Youth Cancer Services, RedKite, Look Good Feel Better
  • Future projects: AYA Palliative Care Unit, Melbourne

View Centres

You Can Stay

Accommodation Support
  • 10,000 nights  of free emergency accommodation committed for regional and rural youth cancer patietnst who must travel to the city for life-saving treatment
  • 1/3 of young cancer patients are from regional areas
  • 37 nights - average length of stay in the city for treatment
  • AIM: Reduce the financial and emotional stress for regional and rural youth cancer patients and their families by offering free accommodation at Quest Apartment Hotels nationally. We want to keep families together and focused on getting well.

For more information on You Can Stay

If you are a clinician and would like to know more about patient eligibility and how to make an online referral, or if you would like to suppor with a donation, please click below.

YOU CAN STAY

Fertility Preservation Services
    • Loss of fertility is the #1 impact to ‘Quality of Life’ post cancer for young adults.
    • Free fertility preservation options for 13 – 30 year olds via partner services
    • Fast access to experts in oncology, fertility and counselling
    • 91% of patients are seen within 24 hours of referral
    • Less than 1 in 4 male youth cancer patients pursue sperm banking and only 4% of female youth cancer patients undertake fertility preservation due to cost, time, and access
    • AIM: Ensure each young person diagnosed with cancer has access to free fertility preservation services with expert multi-disciplinary clinical services.

    Click below to find out about services currently available for 13 - 30 year old cancer patients.

    FERTILITY SERVICES

    Research

    • 3 research grants
    • $500,000 in funding
    • Brain Cancer, Exercise during treatment, applications of Virtual Reality

    Fast Facts

    Youth Cancer Statistics:

    • Approx. 1200 adolescents and young adults (AYA’s) (15-24 years) are reportedly diagnosed with cancer each year
    • More AYA’s (0.8%) are diagnosed with cancer compared with children (0.5%) and 2.1% for the older age group (25-34 years).
    • Approx. 10% of AYAs die from cancer every year.
    • Cancer is the most common cause of non-accidental death among young people (15-24 years)
    • AYA deaths from cancer account for 0.24% of all reported cancer deaths. This compares with 0.21% for children aged 0-14 years and 0.57% for the 25-34 year age group.
    • Approx. 10% of AYAs die from cancer every year.
    • Currently there are no Adolescent Hospices in Australia.
    • About 1/3 of young people affected by cancer live in regional/rural areas. Currently there are very limited options for free or subsidised accommodation for youth cancer patients and their families who must travel.

      "You Can was a speck of light in a very difficult time."

      Jess, cancer survivor, You Can Centre Melbourne

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