adolescents young adults aya

Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA)

It’s a tough journey when facing a cancer diagnosis for adolescents and young adults – we at the Irish Cancer Society understand your family's needs and are here for you as always.

Supports Available – what we fund

Free Support over the phone and via email

Our Support Line nurses can give advice on all types of cancer, coping, supports available and more. You can ask to talk to our Adult Cancer nurse.

Our Support Line is free to call on 1800 200 700 for parents of children with cancer. You can also email the nurses below:

Email Our Cancer Nurse

Need Transport?

Our Irish Cancer Society Transport Service is available for you when undergoing chemotherapy treatments at our partner hospitals.

Patients must attend one of the hospitals participating in the programme and be referred by the hospital. Ask your hospital social worker or nurse for more information.

Call the Volunteer Driver Service team on (01) 231 0522.

Volunteer Driver Service | Irish Cancer Society

Travel2Care Grant

This nationwide transportation assistance fund is to support people in meeting some of the costs of travelling to current appointments.

The fund is made available by the National Cancer Control Programme and administered by the Irish Cancer Society. Up to €450 is available to cover transport costs you encounter when attending treatment.

Travel2Care | Irish Cancer Society

Contact our Travel2Care team at (01) 231 6643 / (01) 2310522 or travel2care@irishcancer.ie

Mental Health Support

We understand that living with cancer can bring so many challenges to your life.

The Society funds professional one to one, telephone and video-call counselling. Should you require access to psychology services, we can refer you to one of our partners.

How to access it

Our cancer nurses can tell you about services available and can refer you for support. Call our Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700.

Fertility Service

We run the “Childhood Cancer Fertility Project” in partnership with Merrion Fertility, which is open to anyone living with cancer up to the age of 24.

  • Adolescents and young adults have access to an enhanced fertility preservation service for cancer patients operated by Merrion Fertility Clinic
  • We invite female survivors of childhood cancers aged 18-24 to have their fertility needs assessed, and referred for further treatment or investigation where fertility treatments may still be an option.

Childhood Cancer Fertility Project | Irish Cancer Society

How to access this service

Please speak to your medical team who can discuss this further with you, and can refer you to the services available.

Creative Arts Therapy

The Irish Cancer Society offers free Creative Arts Therapy support for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults (CAYA) with or in survivorship of cancer (0-24) and their siblings. Creative Arts Therapies include; Art Therapy, Dramatherapy and Music Therapy and can be used to support the psychosocial needs of a young person.

Learn More Here

Other Supports

Booklets

Download our Booklets and Factsheets on your type of cancer.  These include details on; cancer types, tests, treatments, side-effects and how to cope.

Cancer types  Tests  Treatments and Side Effects  How to cope

All of our publications are available by calling the Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or in hospitals and Daffodil Centres across the country. You can also download them on cancer.ie

Benefits and Entitlements

Your financial stability is important.  You and your family may be entitled to government supports including Illness Benefit, a Medical Card or Carer’s Allowance.  Check-out the benefits which may apply for you.

Benefits and entitlements | Irish Cancer Society

Disability Access Route to Higher Education

The DARE (Disability Access Route to Higher Education) process now includes childhood cancer survivors. People up to the age of 23 can apply for this scheme through the "the Significant Ongoing Illness" in their application.

More information is available here: https://accesscollege.ie/dare/providing-evidence-of-your-disability/significant-ongoing-illness/

Child Cancer Supports

Some parents find it helps them to meet other people with similar fears and worries, share information and advice, and support each other. We have listed organisations and groups that can help you if you’re caring for a child with cancer. There may be support groups for particular cancer types, parents, or groups at your local cancer support centre.

Child Cancer Supports

AYA Shared Care Centres

Three hospitals have been designated as “Shared Care Centres” for teenagers and young adults with cancer. Shared care means some of your care can be given at a designated centre in your local area, closer to home and easier for you to get to.  This means you get the best care possible and don’t have to travel long distances to your hospital appointments.

Each Shared Care Centre also has a Daffodil Centre on-site.  These are our Irish Cancer Society local cancer information and support centres which you can visit to meet our cancer nurses and trained volunteers available to answer your questions and help you.  Daffodil Centres are located in hospitals where you will always find one of our experts ready to listen in confidence and offering support, advice and suggestions on local support groups.  Your needs may include travel assistance, financial guidance or medical queries – visit our Daffodil Centre teams or call our Support Line and we will assist you every step of the way

Cork: Daffodil Centre Cork University Hospital | Irish Cancer Society

Dublin: Daffodil Centre St. James's Hospital | Irish Cancer Society

Galway: Daffodil Centre University Hospital Galway | Irish Cancer Society

Real Cost of Cancer

Cancer patients and their loved ones face a significant financial challenge while undergoing treatment.

The Irish Cancer Society's ‘Real Cost of Cancer’ campaign aims to raise awareness about this issue and ensure it remains a Government focus to improve the supports available to you.

Real Cost of Cancer | Irish Cancer Society

Pre-Budget Submission

We understand that the costs associated with cancer cause immense anxiety and distress during a physically and financially vulnerable time.  Additionally our ever increasing cost of living has made this intolerable reality, worse.

Our Pre-Budget Submission to Government proposes positive recommendations by investing in young adults with cancer and the services available.  Read our submissions here:

Prebudget Submission 2023 | Irish Cancer Society

Advocacy Champions

We always welcome cancer patients, survivors, family members, caregivers and anyone passionate about improving outcomes for young adults with cancer to lend their voices to our vital campaigns.

By joining our Advocacy Network, you can help to ensure that your voice as a young person affected by cancer is heard and represented to bring better supports:

Advocate for change | Irish Cancer Society

Stories

Adolescent & Young Adult Awareness Week

To mark Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week 2024, The Irish Cancer Society, Teen Cancer America and cancer charities around the world are creating a Spotify playlist with a difference!

The “Music Connects Cancer” playlist was created by young adult cancer patients worldwide. Music can uplift, soothe, inspire, and bring a smile to your face – even if only for the length of a song.  Each song on the playlist has a personal story behind it and will help connect people on a similar journey.

Listen to the playlist on Spotify  Add your song

Music Connects Cancer Stories
Read the stories of the Music Connects Cancer participants (full list) with their song recommendations.

Meditation Guide

Download a 15-minute meditation track that you can listen to at any time.

Get your guide

Cooking Connect Webinar

To mark Young Adult (YA) Cancer Awareness Week 2024, the Irish Cancer Society hosted an online cook-along event for young people aged 13 to 25 diagnosed with cancer. Good fun and delicious food were on the menu for this yummy webinar. You can watch back and join Ciara from Ciara’s Kitchen for an evening of 3 super simple and nutritious meals you can do at home.

Watch the Cook-along  Download the receipes


For more information

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Phone

01 231 0500

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Email