Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1173162
The donation is enabling the program to further develop services tailored to AYA needs with the hiring of a dedicated social worker and a nurse navigator. They join a specia lized staff of oncologists, psychologists, nurses and research repre- sentatives gathered in one place, dedicated to improving the quality of life for AYAs, in addition to making them healthy. Staff are helping patients with obstacles other age groups may not encounter. They talk with teachers and school officials to resolve delays in a patient 's educa- tion. They refer AYAs for menta l and behaviora l counseling, connect them with community services and identify financial resources to help cover their often-expensive treatments. "Financial toxicity is a huge barrier that's more commonplace for this age group," Dr. Grimes says. "Young adults a re a lso at higher risk of losing their insura nce, especia lly if they have a n employer-based plan. If they work fewer hours or lose their jobs as a result of their cancer care, they can lose their coverage." Then there's the issue of how their cancer treatment might affect their ability to have children. Staff schedule patients for fertility counseling. "Ma ny teenagers a nd young adults have not beg un to think about family planning," Dr. Grimes says. "A cancer diagnosis forces that conversation or decision, or it should if it's presented to the patient. That should be the standard of care — to inform patients if there is a risk for infertility." Teen Cancer America's donation is also being used to create a patient lounge that will help fight another problem common among AYAs who may be hospitalized for weeks at a time — isolation and loneliness. The lounge aims to provide a brea k from being sick with video games, a snack ba r a nd access to movies a nd music. It will give patients a chance to share experiences with other young people facing the same challenges they face. BUILDING THE FUTURE AYA PROGRAM After five years of developing the pro- gram, the AYA team is seeing 150 new patients a yea r, some traveling from distant parts of the state. Team members meet once a month to discuss cases and to continue building the program. "I have a g ra nd vision," Dr. Grimes says with a laugh. "Five to 10 years from now, I envision the unit to be more than double its current size." She wa nts to of fer additiona l psy- cholog ica l a nd socia l counseling for patients and families, and partner with additional support groups and services. She foresees new AYA services outside the hospita l, better curricula to tra in future physicians and an AYA commu- nity resource center. Most impor ta ntly, Dr. Grimes a nd D r. B o w h a y- C a r n e s e x p e c t t o s e e i ncrea sed access a nd en rol lment i n clinica l tria ls and a better surviva l rate for these cancer patients who are just beginning their adult lives. Please email ayacancer@uthscsa.edu if you would like to make a referral, ask questions or learn more about the AYA Cancer Program at University Hospital. n Geary Lynn Delgado, RN, Patient Care Coordinator; Diana Campa Del Rosario, social worker; Krystal Robinson, psychologist; Natasha Pacilio, RN, Patient Care Coordinator; Alissa Love, RN, Executive Director Clinical Services Aaron Sugalski, DO, examines patient Kimani McNeil in University Hospital's AYA Outpatient Clinic. 0 8❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R S T O R Y