More than Art: Therapy, Healing, Purpose
Category: Teen & Young Adults
Mental Health: A Young Survivor’s Story
By Rodrigo Ramirez Aguilar
After cancer treatment, there are days when I can feel very overwhelmed. When I feel overwhelmed, it is normally because of scanxiety or overall anxiety about doctors’ appointments on top of my daily life. During these times I like to reflect on what is stressing me out. I list down the things I can control, normally being school assignments or chores I have put off like cleaning my room, and act on them. This way I feel a sense of control in my life, making me feel accomplished. These ‘wins,’ no matter how small they may be, help me regain control of my mental space.
I have come to terms with some of this anxiety since it is normal to feel medical anxiety. When I feel this way, I like to do things that distract me from my worries. Primarily I like to play video games with my friends since they always cheer me up. I also like to swim and go hiking with my friends; that way I feel that I am helping my body stay healthy to the best of my abilities. Since these activities are things I would do before cancer, it helps me regain a sense of normality.
I also like to reflect on how far I’ve come. I like to think of the times when I did not feel physically good during treatment. I then compare that time to the present and many of the minor inconveniences of life feel even smaller. Being hopeful has also helped me gain control of my mental space. I am hopeful my CT scans will continue to show good results, and I will one day be declared in a state of remission.
A Thank You Note To the Nurses
Being an American young adult that has dealt with cancer makes me feel very thankful. Although chemotherapy is over and I am considered NED, cancer is a battle that I am still fighting. The fact that I am living and recovering makes me grateful for the amazing team that treated me during chemotherapy.
When I first arrived at UCLA pediatric oncology, I was diagnosed with seminoma, a type of testicular cancer. I was told I would have to receive 3 cycles of chemotherapy spanning over 10 weeks. When I first started chemo, I was horrified; I did not know what to expect or how I would feel. Thankfully the nurses at the UCLA hospital were all great; they would check in on me every hour to see if I needed anything. I became friends with many of the nurses there, making me feel cared for and heard.
I remember toward the start of treatment, one nurse had brought me a sock monkey stuffed animal. That sock monkey meant more than just a regular old stuffed animal. It signified that I was being cared for and seen by my medical team. Now, after treatment, I am eternally grateful to the amazing team of nurses that treated me, receiving me with a positive attitude and helping me beat my cancer.
Congreso Internacional de Cáncer Infanto Jovenes
In June of 2023, Operations and Program Development Specialist and teen cancer survivor, Alec Kupelian, was invited to speak at the Congreso Internacional de Cáncer Infanto Jovenes in Santiago, Chile. This international conference was hosted by the Fundación Nuestros Hijos. Their mission is to improve the survival and quality of life of young people with cancer, their families, and survivors through medical programs, rehabilitation, research and development, social programs, foster care and education. The annual International Congress on Childhood and Youth Cancer features experts from the medical field, the Ministry of Health, other organizations including St. Jude, and many more. See the complete transcript of his speech below, as well as the English translation of an article written about Teen Cancer America’s message to Chile and Latin America published by a Chilean news publication.
November 7, 2021 Los Angeles Marathon
Teen Cancer America’s team “got off their butts for cancer” once again and completed the LA Marathon and ½ Marathon Charity Challenge to raise funds and awareness for young people affected by cancer! Our runner Peter Mellis came in 1st place for the ½ Marathon Charity Challenge! Our partners BondIt and Buffalo 8 filled the majority of our team and we are thankful that they continue to support us and bring runners each year. Thank you to our partners!
TCA Golf Outing at Metedeconk National Golf Club in New Jersey
Teen Cancer America hosted our first golf outing alongside Bob Lerner at Metedeconk National Golf Club in New Jersey, on Monday, October 18, 2021. Golfers started their day with lunch and practicing at the premier practice facility. Golfers either participated in an 18 hole course or in a golf clinic taught by professional golfer Val Skinner. After golfing they enjoyed a cocktail hour with music from MedRock (Ken Freirich), Donny Keher (from Broadway’s Tommy), and Simon Kirke (Bad Company). Next was dinner with remarks from cancer survivors Jordan Lerner and Neal Reddy. Rich Lerner, of the Golf Channel, led our live auction. It was a highly successful event. Thank you to all of our partners and participants!
“Art Is Healing” Painting Class and Campaign for AYAs
Teen Cancer America’s first ever virtual “Art is Healing” art class was held on September 2nd for 10 teens and young adults who have been affected by cancer. This class consisted of a lesson in techniques and landscapes, along with a guided tutorial, by a volunteer artist, Nouha Kupelian, mother of TCA Advocate and employee, Alec Kupelian. Every student received a package of art supplies, all of which were donated by top quality companies. This will be the first of three of these types of lessons. Thank you to all of our partners for this event!
TCA Polo Event at Will Rogers Polo Field
Teen Cancer America’s 2nd Annual polo was held on Sunday September 12, 2021 at Will Rogers State Historic Park, in Pacific Palisades, CA. Play It Back Songs kicked off our event with performances and Trenyce (American Idol) sang the National Anthem. The guests enjoyed their time watching the professional polo players while eating, drinking, and participating in the raffle and auction. The Champagne divot stomp and stick pony races were activities almost everyone took part in. Thanks to all our partners for this event!
Uncorked with Broadway; A Virtual Wine Tasting Event
Teen Cancer America’s May wine tasting was a huge success! Professional sommeliers, Ferdinando Mucerino and Chris Hoel, lead our guests in a thorough wine tasting of four different wines with Broadway stars mixed in between. Joining us to give a special message or sing a song were Broadway stars including Tony Award winners Alfie Boe, Laura Benanti, Michael Cerveris, and Christian Hoff, Tony Award Nominees Laura Dreyfuss, Megan Hilty, Danny Burstein and Constantine Maroulis, Follies’ Elaine Paige, Hamilton’s Mandy Gonzalez, Hamilton’s Bryan Terrell Clark, Waitress’ Erich Bergen, Megan Hilty, Pippin’s Gabrielle McClinton, The Who’s Tommy Donnie Kehr, and Aladdin’s Telly Leung! Wine was sent directly to participants. The audience had the option to participate in a raffle that included a 6 night stay in the Caribbean and more. Thank you to our partners Wine Insiders and First Citizens Bank. Watch Event Here:
Valentine’s Day Virtual Wine Tasting & Pizza Event
Teen Cancer America hosted a virtual wine tasting event for Valentine’s Day with hosts Alec Kupelian and Lily Fuentez. Wine and pizzas were sent directly to participants and they tuned in for a wine tasting and musical performances! A wine sommelier taught the audience about the wines including wine etiquette and wine pairings. Jermone Jacober from Eminent Wines joined us to give a special presentation on Roger’s Champagne. AYA advocates pre-recorded videos of them singing love songs that we played throughout the event. Performances included songs from, Tenille Arts , UB40’s Ali Campbel, lBeth Nielsen Chapman, Stevie Redstone, Kirsty Dewar, and Play It Back Songs artists, Ryan Melendez, Sage Escalante, and Kenli Mattus. Thank you to our partners Short Walk Wines (Raleigh, NC) and Pizano’s Pizza and Pasta (Chicago, IL).
Victoria Summer’s Virtual Tea Party and Scone Baking Class
Teen Cancer America partnered with Victoria Summer and Lawrence Charles, of Charles and Co. Tea, to have a virtual holiday tea party, complete with a scone baking class! Along with learning the traditions of tea and learning how to bake a chocolate cake with Downton Abbey’s Lesley Nicol, viewers had the pleasure of viewing performances from Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow, Tony Award winner, singer Alfie Boe, and AYA singers from our Play It Back Songs program. Thank you to our sponsors First Citizens Bank. Watch Event Here: