Roswell Park's Young Adult Program

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Roswell Park's Young Adult Program

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Support squad and community, specifically for cancer patients and survivors in their 20s and 30s You're a young adult, and you've been diagnosed with cancer.

Now what? Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is what.

72,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer yearly, and Roswell Park recognizes the need to enhance treatment for YA's. Roswell is not just expanding medical care for teens and Young Adults, it has also created a program to enhance treatment and address the needs that are specific to YA's. You learned you had cancer in one day but the Young Adult Program is here for you from treatment through survivorship. The YA Program focuses on insurance, fertility, peer support/relationships, employment, clinical trials, psychosocial support, survivorship, and helping YOU do what you want to do with or without cancer (preferably without).

10/08/2026

A few of our favorites from our Young Adult Program ‘Autumn After Dark’ Fall Formal last week 📸

This event is all about creating a space for our young adult community to connect with one another over a shared meal, enjoy various activities, hit the dance floor, and get dressed up for a fun night out of the everyday routine!

Thank you to the Joe & Kathy Curatolo Endowment Fund for sponsoring such a beautiful evening ✨

10/04/2026

We had a wildly good time last week at the Buffalo Zoo with our members and their families! 🦒 Thanks to everyone who joined us for a fun day of exploring, enjoying the outdoors, and making memories together! 🩵

09/29/2026

From Subtle Signs to a Life Changing Diagnosis: Meet Amie 🩵

Amie was balancing life as a mom, partner, mental health therapist, and graduate student when subtle changes in her health began to appear. Weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, irregular periods, irritability, and stomach bloating didn’t initially seem like signs of something serious, especially with no family history of cancer.

After noticing an ovarian cyst, Amie’s OBGYN monitored it for about a year. As the cyst continued to grow, she was referred to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she continued to be monitored through routine bloodwork and scans.

While her results continued to look good, her doctor was concerned by the cyst’s growth and increasing complexity. Surgery was scheduled to remove the cyst and her o***y. During surgery, what was thought to be a cyst was discovered to be a granulosa cell tumor—ovarian cancer. The tumor was seventy times the size of an o***y in volume but thankfully was caught early and did not spread. The surgery brought with it a long and painful recovery.

Today, Amie is closely monitored every three months and remains grateful for the care and expertise of her treatment team. While her prognosis is good, the tumor has a high risk of recurrence, making continued monitoring an important part of her care. Looking back, she recognizes how easily her symptoms could have been overlooked. Having previously experienced symptoms associated with PMOS (PCOS), many of the changes in her body seemed familiar, and she unknowingly lived with cancer for nearly two years. Her biggest piece of advice to others is simple: listen to your body❕For Amie, trusting her intuition and advocating for herself ultimately helped lead to her diagnosis.

As a newer member of the Young Adult Program, Amie has not yet had the opportunity to attend an event, but she has already found comfort in knowing that she is not alone! 🫂

As Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Amie’s story serves as a powerful reminder to advocate for yourself and to listen to your body! Drop some support for Amie in the comments! 🫶🏼

09/24/2026

Today, we’re recognizing the researchers who dedicate their lives to advancing cancer care and working toward better outcomes for patients everywhere! 🌎

From developing new treatments to helping us better understand cancer, this work directly impacts the lives of our young adult patients, survivors, and the broader cancer community.

Thank you to the researchers at Roswell Park and around the world for the time, expertise, and dedication you bring to this work every day. Your research helps move us closer to a world without cancer. 💙

09/19/2026

On Tuesday, we attended One Gold: Uniting for Childhood Cancer, which recognized September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month🎗️

Pediatric cancer has touched many within our Young Adult Program community in different ways. Some of our members are pediatric cancer survivors who are now in their young adult years or were diagnosed in childhood and are still fighting into young adulthood, while others have been impacted through family, friends, or loved ones.

We’re proud to stand with our members and the entire childhood cancer community as we raise awareness, honor their experiences, and show our support! 💛

09/15/2026

From Uncertainty to Hope: Meet Sara 👋🏼

Sara was diagnosed with Stage II papillary thyroid cancer just two days before her birthday - a diagnosis that completely rocked her world.

For months, Sara hadn’t been feeling like herself but didn’t realize anything serious could be wrong. After routine blood work led to additional testing and a biopsy, her doctor called with the news while she was in the middle of a grocery store. She was completely shocked. Within a few months, Sara underwent surgery to remove her thyroid and affected lymph nodes, including a tumor that was located against her trachea.

Following surgery, Sara began coming to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center to determine whether she would need additional treatment. From her first visits, she felt welcomed, supported, and cared for. 💙 At Roswell Park, she underwent radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment, and she has since began feeling more like herself after finding the proper dose of thyroid medication.

Now, Sara is currently in a period of monitoring and waiting. Her most recent blood work showed that her tumor marker was undetectable, offering an encouraging sign as she continues forward! Looking back, she remembers how scared she was when she first received her diagnosis, even knowing that her prognosis was good. Today, she is beginning to feel more like herself again and looking ahead with hope. ✨

As a newer member of the Young Adult Program, Sara has only attended a few events so far, but she has already found something meaningful in being surrounded by others who understand what it is like to experience cancer as a young adult. For Sara, being part of this community is a reminder that she is not alone. 💞

Thank you, Sara, for sharing your story with us as we recognize Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month this September!

09/10/2026

Supporting the young adult cancer community is at the core of what we do 🩵

From events and peer support, to resources, education, and opportunities to simply connect, the Young Adult Program is here to support young adults impacted by cancer in ways that go beyond their traditional care.

We’re proud to create space for connections, community, and everything in between ✨

08/31/2026

Look at these refreshed & relaxed faces! ✨

Last week, our members enjoyed our ‘Facials with Friends’ class with Kristine from Nickel City Skin Spa + Boutique! 🖤 Members were led through a six-step skin care routine, allowing them to practice some much needed self care in a relaxing and welcoming space!

08/27/2026

Throwing it back to the Celebration of Hope at this year’s Ride for Roswell! 🩵 Our members showed up in a big way for each other and our community! We are so grateful for everyone who walked alongside us!

08/17/2026

From Being Dismissed to Demanding Answers: Meet Stacey 🩷

Stacey is a 37-year-old wife, mom of two, and academic advisor at the University at Buffalo. For nearly a year, she knew something didn’t feel right.

After noticing what she described as “thick tissue” in her breast, Stacey repeatedly shared her concerns with her healthcare providers. In July of 2025, she was referred for a mammogram and ultrasound, but both came back clear. She was told to return for a routine mammogram at age 40.

Still convinced something was wrong, Stacey continued advocating for herself. 🗣️ At her annual OB-GYN appointment that November, she requested a breast MRI. Although initially questioned by her insurance, the MRI was approved and revealed multiple tumors. A biopsy soon confirmed Stage IIA invasive ductal breast cancer.

Stacey underwent a double mastectomy at Roswell Park in February 2026. Final pathology showed her cancer was HER2-positive (triple-positive), leading to 12 weeks of chemotherapy. She now receives targeted therapy every three weeks, along with hormone suppression medication, to help reduce the risk of recurrence. She also plans to undergo breast reconstruction and additional surgeries to lower her risk of ovarian cancer as well.

Today, Stacey hopes her story reminds other young adults to trust their instincts and advocate for themselves❕She urges people to keep asking questions and pushing for answers when something doesn’t feel right.

After attending Cancerchella, Stacey found comfort in connecting with other young adults who understand the unique challenges of a cancer diagnosis. As a new member of the Young Adult Program, she values the peer support and meaningful connections that make this community so special. She is also incredibly grateful for all of the support she has received over the last 6 months from her wonderful husband, family, friends and co-workers. ✨

What a powerful reminder to SPEAK UP & be your own best advocate when things simply don’t feel right! Let’s give Stacey some love in the comments for continued strength on her journey ahead! ⬇️

Address

Elm & Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY
14263

Telephone

+17163413151

Website

http://www.RoswellPark.org/YoungAdults

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