Adolescents and young adults (AYA)
We're here for you with tailored supports.
If you are a teenager or young adult diagnosed with cancer, it can be a really difficult time. We’re here for you. Check out the free supports we offer and information that is relevant to you.
Our services
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: supportline@irishcancer.ie
Our Transport Service is available for you when you are having 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 Transport Service team on (01) 231 0522.
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.
Contact our Travel2Care team at (01) 2310522 or email travel2care@irishcancer.ie
We understand that living with cancer can bring so many challenges to your life.
The Society funds professional, one-to-one, telephone and videocall 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.
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.
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.
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.
Get your free guide
Your guide to dealing with cancer (for young people aged 16-24)
Free Care Kit
Our free Care Kit is an overnight bag filled with some essentials that you can have ready to go for when you need it.
What’s included: The pack includes useful personal care items such as deodorant, moisturizer and practical things like a reusable cup and a cool bag. They also include some make-up and a bespoke Head Plan journal.
Special thanks to Boots Ireland and The Head Plan for contributing to the Care Kits.
AYA Shared Care Centres
Three hospitals have been designated as “Shared Care Centres” for teenagers and young adults with cancer. These hospitals are Cork University Hospital, St James' Hospital Dublin and Galway University Hospital.
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 the hospital 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.
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.
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.
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.
Global AYA Art Competition Submissions - Art Connects Cancer: A Global Picture 2025
Art can speak louder than words. This competition allows young people affected by cancer tell their stories and show their experiences through art. View all the 2025 Global AYA Art competition winners' artwork via the link below:
Music Connects Cancer Stories
Read the stories of the Music Connects Cancer participants (full list) with their song recommendations.
Compassion Connect Cancer is a webinar all about wellbeing and pampering.
We are delighted to welcome Boot's Beauty Academy Trainer, Michelle O’Sullivan, to share useful skincare tips.
Michelle's ‘Feel Like You Again’ session will take you through how to manage changes in the skin, along with hints and tips on the beauty side of things, like recreating brows.
Mindfulness Coach, Britt Winkelman, will guide you through a useful self-compassion mindfulness practice YouTube video.
Download a 15-minute meditation track that you can listen to at any time.
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 you can also download the recipes.
