Cancer Awareness Month for Teens and Young Adults highlights the unique and often overlooked challenges faced by young people diagnosed with cancer.
Established in 1976, Candlelighters is a Yorkshire-based charity created and managed by parents whose children have experienced cancer, former patients, and dedicated medical professionals. The organization provides critical services and support to children diagnosed with cancer and their families.
A child’s cancer diagnosis profoundly impacts not just the child, but their entire family —including parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, and extended relatives. Everyday routines and concerns suddenly feel insignificant, as families confront an uncertain future filled with emotional, physical, and financial challenges. The path toward recovery can often be lengthy and demanding.
Because Candlelighters was founded and continues to be guided by individuals who have personally experienced these challenges, the charity possesses deep insight into the trauma and emotional upheaval associated with childhood cancer. This intimate understanding enables Candlelighters to offer personalized care and support, recognizing that each family’s needs may differ significantly.
This critical period of life, typically defined by personal growth, independence, and significant milestones, can abruptly shift focus to hospitals, treatment regimens, and managing profound emotional and physical changes:
Education and Future Goals: A cancer diagnosis can dramatically impact education. Teens and young adults frequently struggle with prolonged absences from school, college, or university, due to treatments and hospital stays. These disruptions can lead to delays in educational progress, missed examinations, and added stress regarding future academic and career goals.
Body Image and Self-Esteem: Cancer treatments often cause significant physical changes, including hair loss, weight fluctuations, and scarring. For young individuals, who are still forming their identities and self-perceptions, these changes can deeply affect self-esteem, body confidence, and emotional wellbeing.
Social Connections and Relationships: Lengthy hospital stays and treatments may strain friendships and relationships, causing isolation at a time when social connections are essential. Teens and young adults may find it challenging to maintain relationships with peers who may not fully understand their experiences, leading to feelings of loneliness or disconnection.
Mental Health and Emotional Support: The emotional toll of cancer during teenage and young adult years is profound. Anxiety, depression, and stress are common as young people cope with uncertainty, medical interventions, and fears about their futures. Access to emotional and psychological support, such as counseling and peer support groups, becomes crucial.
Supporting Teens and Young Adults: Organizations and communities play a vital role in supporting young cancer patients by providing tailored resources, such as youth-centered therapy, specialized hospital programs, and social activities designed to foster connection and emotional resilience.
Candlelighters is more than just a charity; it is a community of hope, support, and resilience. Through its dedicated services and community involvement, Candlelighters Trust continues to make a significant difference in the lives of children battling cancer and their families. Supporting this noble cause not only helps affected families but also contributes to the broader goal of improving cancer care and treatment for children everywhere.
Cancer Awareness Month for Teens and Young Adults serves as an important reminder of the specific needs of this age group and emphasizes the necessity of dedicated support systems to empower and uplift young people facing cancer. At Candlelighters, our mission is to ensure teenagers receive comprehensive support throughout their journey. While all of our services are available to families with teenagers impacted by cancer, several offerings cater specifically to young people:
Our Youth Activity Coordinator operates directly on the hospital’s teenage ward, facilitating enjoyable and engaging activities designed to enhance the mental and emotional wellbeing of teens aged 13-19. These activities also foster connections among peers undergoing similar experiences.
We provide specialized talking therapies tailored for teenagers. Our experienced therapists assist young people in expressing their emotions, understanding their experiences, and developing coping strategies to positively move forward.
Throughout the year, Candlelighters organizes family events, offering young people opportunities to connect with others their age, share experiences, build friendships, and create meaningful, positive memories beyond their medical treatment.
Your donations and support make a difference to young people fighting cancer and their families across our region. Make a donation and help us to offer vital support www.candlelighters.org.uk/donate
For more information about Candlelighters please visit www.candlelighters.org.uk or follow us for the latest updates on Facebook at @CandlelightersTrust and on X @CandlelightersT email: info@candlelighters.org.uk or call 0113 887 8333.
Thank you for visiting our online shop where you can support us with a virtual gift, get your place at an event or purchase that essential piece of Candlelighters merchandise www.candlelighters.org.uk
We at Candlelighters appreciate you taking the time to speak to us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. If you would like to send a cheque, please make it payable to Candlelighters and send it to us at 8 Woodhouse Square, Leeds, LS3 1AD.
Thank You 💗
