• Refocus the Lens

    In August, we introduced a new expressive arts series, Refocus the Lens.  Members of 13thirty Cancer Connect submitted a photo that reminded them of the time when they were diagnosed with cancer. Some photos reflected one of the last moments when cancer was not on their minds.  They may have been going off to college….

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    Lucas, 21

    …or striking a pose as a dance major…

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    Kara, 19

    …or just being a teen hanging out with your friends.

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    Alyssa, 19

    For others, the photos represented the shock of diagnosis, or the interruption of life. Erma (17) was enjoying her senior year of high school when finding out she would need months of inpatient treatment.

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    Riley (21) beat cancer once and was a photography major in college upon being diagnosed once again.

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    See more of Riley’s work on Facebook at Riley Murray.

    Being an adolescent or young adult (AYA) is already a difficult time, without adding cancer to the mix. AYAs with cancer face challenges specific to this age with regard to social connections, independence, appearance changes, and school or career goals. At 13thirty Cancer connect, our members know what it’s like to cope with these unique challenges and they find support in one another. In this time of COVID-19, connecting remotely poses a new set of challenges but sharing the experience of AYA cancer with others who understand helps to break those barriers.

    Join us on September 21st, 2020 at 6:30 EDT on Zoom for the second program in the Refocus the Lens series when we will share photos reflecting treatment.