Every day 7 teenagers hear the devastating words “you have cancer”.
That’s 2,555 new cases of cancer in young people every year, close to 500 since lockdown began on 23rd March, and 79% of them will experience a serious impact on their mental health due to diagnosis and treatment.
During this pandemic they are STILL going through cancer and will continue their fight long after Coronavirus passes.
From the 23rd March, we converted all of our activities into online sessions, and we moved from 3 monthly activities to 4 digital activities every single week.
Thanks to the ability to meet, learn and have fun through virtual technology it has made our service far more accessible, enabling those who are too poorly to travel or simply too far away, the chance to learn new skills, express and challenge themselves without judgement and meet others their age who genuinely understand.
We can’t continue without urgent funds. We have had a 66% rise in applications, a clear signal that young cancer patients need help now more than ever before. But we are experiencing a 70% loss of income due to the cancellation of our fundraising activities.
Without your help these young people will be left to fight alone, in continued isolation, without the opportunity to live life beyond their diagnosis.
Volunteering with Teens Unite has changed my personality and outlook on life. When I hear all the amazing things the teens say about Teens Unite, I can tell they mean every word.
Nathan, 23, VolunteerTeens Unite isn't just a charity to me, it was the beginning of restarting my life.
Jess, 22, Teen, Acute Myeloid LeukaemiaWhen Elliot started receiving the support of Teens Unite, I could see a change in him straightaway. His outlook on life was becoming positive again and I gained strength from seeing my little boy accepting what had happened and starting to move forward.
David, Parent to Elliot, 18, Non-Hodgkins LymphomaI needed help and that's where Teens Unite came in. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and the reason I met Teens Unite was to save my life.
Harry, 20, Teen, Testicular CancerWith Teens Unite, I finally realised that I could climb out of this massive hole that I had been digging because I wasn't alone anymore.
Leanne, 21, Teen, Acute Lymphoblastic LeukaemiaIf it wasn't for Teens Unite, I wouldn't be where I am now. They have been really supportive and given me the strength to push myself and not give up.
Derry, 20, Teen, Brain TumourMy wife inspired me to volunteer following her fight against cancer. I wanted to help others carry on living their lives the way she did. And that's exactly what Teens Unite does.
John, 64, Volunteer