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4.122

Patient visit You Can Centres

5

Hospital Partners

$500K

Funding for youth-related cancer research

70K

Visits to peer networking platform You Can Connect (since launching Aug 2017)

‘You Can’ is a youth cancer program set up by Sony Foundation Australia in 2010. In partnership with the Federal Government and cancer charity Canteen, Sony Foundation launched its national youth cancer initiative ‘You Can’ to establish a national network of age-appropriate and specialised youth cancer centres and services around Australia. SFA funds these specialised youth cancer centres and services around Australia to address the current gap in the health care system.

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 in care that currently exists for 15 – 25 year olds with cancer establishing specialised youth cancer centres around Australia.

PROGRESS:

Nine years on and You Can continues to steadily advance across Australia with centres, programs and research.

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.

Funds raised have contributed to

You Can
Centres

  • 4 You Can Centres
  • Perth - $1.8 million Opened in 2013
  • Melbourne - $1.5 million Opened in 2016
  • Sydney - $1.5 million Opening in 2019
  • Brisbane - $1.8 million Opening in 2019
  • 1100m2 of space in hospitals dedicated to teenagers and young adults with cancer

View Centres

Free Fertility
Preservation NSW

  • Free fertility preservation and storage for 13 – 30 year olds at Fertility & Research Clinic
  • Fast access to experts in oncology, fertility and counselling in one location
  • 91% of patients are seen within 24 hours of referral

Community

  • 70,000 visits to peer networking platform You Can Connect (www.youcan.org.au) since Aug 2017
  • 4,122 patient visits to a You Can Centre since 2013
  • 5 hospital partners
  • Workshops hosted in You Can Centres by; Youth Cancer Services, RedKite, Look Good Feel Better.

Research

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

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

Jess, cancer survivor, You Can Centre Melbourne

Looking Forward – A National Perspective

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 and work with government, health and corporate Australia to deliver tangible solutions.

Here is what we will focus on:

Access to Oncofertility Services

Loss of fertility is the #1 impact to ‘Quality of Life’ post cancer for young adults.
AIM: Ensure each young person diagnosed with cancer has access to free fertility preservation services with expert multi-disciplinary clinical services.

You Can Centres

Providing respite and a home away from home for young patients while providing age-appropriate clinical care.
OPENED: Perth and Melbourne
OPENING IN 2019: Sydney and Brisbane
Future projects: Newcastle and Gold Coast

Regional Support

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.
AIM: Improve the services and support for young people who must travel to the city for treatment.

Palliative Care

Approx. 10% of AYAs die from cancer every year. Currently there are no Adolescent Hospices in Australia.
AIM: To ensure they receive the best quality end of life care tailored to their needs.

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