By Admin at 4 Apr 2017, 13:04 PM

At any age, a cancer diagnosis is tragic. However, when cancer strikes a young person, it’s downright unacceptable. At Gateway, as we celebrate National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week, we reflect on the importance of fighting cancer in people aged 15-39.

Each year, around 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the United States, which accounts for five percent of cancer diagnoses in the country. This statistic is six times higher than the number of cancers diagnosed in children, age 14 and below.

Certain cancers, such as Hodgkin lymphoma and melanoma, are especially prevalent in young adults. This week is meant to bring greater awareness to these patients, celebrate progress and explore the future of their cancer treatment.

One such case, that gives Gateway hope for the future, is the story of Maddy Oliver. At the age of 17, Maddy was diagnosed with an aggressive bone cancer called osteosarcoma. The cancer not only could have taken her leg, but also her life. Sadly, Maddy’s passion for dancing had to be put on hold. High school is supposed to be a time when you look forward to the future, but Maddy’s future was in jeopardy.

Maddy fought hard and endured more than anyone her age ever should. For four months, she was bedridden while undergoing intense treatment. Then, Maddy’s family learned of a Gateway-funded clinical trial that ultimately saved her life while preserving her quality of life.

Today, Maddy is a full time college student and is once again enjoying her true passion, dancing.

Stories like this are why we, Gateway for Cancer Research, do what we do. It is also why 99 cents of every dollar we receives goes directly to fund cancer clinical trials. However, our work is far from over. There are too many young adults like Maddy in need of better treatment options - TODAY! With help from generous donors like you, we can shape a world where a cancer diagnosis is no longer feared. Please see more of Maddy's inspiring story below.  

Sources:
National Cancer Institute
The Young Adult Cancer Alliance

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