Mercy Cardinals Young Adult Cancer Program is specially designed for adolescents and young adults (AYA) at Mercy Hospital St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri. Mercy’s AYA program includes a multifaceted, team-based approach that provides state-of-the-art medical care while addressing the emotional, financial, education and career disruptions that a cancer diagnosis entails.
“Adolescent and young adult patients diagnosed with cancer face a unique struggle as they are forced to confront their own mortality at a time when their peers are discovering independence and feeling invincible,” said Rob Hanson, MD, PhD, Mercy Clinic pediatric hematologist-oncologist and director of the Cardinals Young Adult Cancer Program.
As the only dedicated AYA program in the St. Louis region, Mercy’s team of physicians, nurses, social workers and therapists have collaboratively built a supportive environment that wraps around patients and their families and friends beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout treatment and long into survivorship.
“One of my biggest thank yous goes to the nurses and staff here at the clinic. They for sure are my second family. They welcome you with open arms and make sure that you are treated the best way possible. They jump through hoops and will do anything for any of their patients. I cannot thank them enough, they have treated me like family, it’s an amazing feeling.” (Stephanie, age 20)
“The cancer center has always been a safe and loving place where I have been able to find comfort even amidst my pain. But ever since the teen and young adult program was implemented, I’ve been able to find community and friends like I’ve never been able to before. Not only are my needs being better met, but the friendships I’ve been able to develop are amazing, and I no longer feel alone in my experiences.” (Cora, age 18).
