In October of 2022, 17-year-old Raven from Neepawa, received a call from her doctor. “We found stage 3 cancer,” he shared.
Earlier that year, Raven started experiencing occasional nosebleeds and discovered a bump on her neck. A visit with her doctor prompted further investigation, including a biopsy. What followed were months of doctors’ appointments and diagnostic tests like MRIs and ultrasounds, ultimately leading to the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a rare form of cancer.
In an instant, Raven’s life shifted from navigating the routine of a high school student to grappling with the reality of a cancer diagnosis.
Instead of attending school with her friends, planning trips and playing sports, she now faced three months of chemotherapy, seven weeks of radiation and frequent visits to the hospital in Neepawa. Committed donors ensured that services and programs for young people with cancer like Raven, are in place for when they are needed most.
“I could see my high school from the window in my hospital room. Knowing that people my age were able to do whatever they wanted, was very upsetting. It was a very isolating experience. Even though I had really great support with family and friends, it felt like I was alone for a very long time.”
Thanks to the donor-funded Adolescent & Young Adults (AYA) program at CancerCare Manitoba, Raven found a community and the support she needed to get through such a challenging time. The program provides space for AYAs with similar experience to lean on each other through a support group. The generosity of donors makes this possible.
Your support today ensures AYAs will continue to receive counselling, including specialized counselling related to career and fertility, supporting this demographic’s unique needs.
“There were people who went through the same thing as me. I felt like I was being heard. Like people just knew what I was going through. That changed everything.”
Today, Raven is in her first year of university and has big dreams. She is determined to become a lawyer. Raven has a new-found confidence and tools to guide her journey as a cancer survivor thanks to the AYA program, a program funded by donors. You can be a part of this impact.
When asked about the future and her ability to pursue her dreams, she shared: “I think for me, just because of the fact I had cancer, I have more determination now to do this. I have nothing to lose. I’ve gone through the lowest part of my life. I can only go up from here.”
Now, Raven is transforming her experience into action by giving back. As part of the patient and family advisory team, she is helping other young patients through both advocacy and support.
Thanks to donors, young adults like Raven don’t have to face cancer alone. You can join them in making a difference.
Your donations make programs like AYA possible, giving young patients the support, services and connection they need. “I have a lot of gratitude for donors. They are very, very inspiring and the support that they give is so amazing. And it helps people like me and so many others.”
Your support today will continue funding these critical programs and services that make all the difference to Raven, and patients like her.