Cobalt has been funding a Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Cancer Nurse, servicing the three counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire since 2011. We have recently made a further three year commitment to this important role.

Teenagers and young adults facing a cancer diagnosis often have different needs to adults and are at a vulnerable stage in their life as well as the stress of ill health and the physical changes cancer may bring – hair loss, amputation and fertility issues. Specialised care is required not just in terms of their illness, but also in terms of their educational, financial and relationship needs.

There is a need for a TYA Nurse locally to ensure that young patients receive the most appropriate and supportive care available. Megan also works to improve the rates of early diagnosis within this age range as very often young people get a late cancer diagnosis. We have pledged to fundraise to cover the salary costs for three years, a cost of £97,782 and rely on support from the community and grants to make this happen.