Red Wings Baseball Game: AYAs (Rochester)
Come to Frontier Field and root, root, root for the Red Wings! It’s fireworks night!
Game Night: AYAs (Syracuse)
Hang out, enjoy some food at the Center, and get ready for Family Feud – 13thirty style!
Tie-Dye Night: AYAs (Syracuse)
*Rescheduled from May
Get creative and tie-dye your own 13thirty t-shirt!
Journeys Prep – AYAs
Join local poet, Charlie Cote, and other AYAs as we get ready for another special night in November.
Tie-Dye Night – AYAs
Tie-dye your own 13thirty t-shirt for the first in-person program of 2021 (weather permitting)!
Drop-In – AYAs
AYAs are invited to visit the Rochester and Syracuse Centers to get to know 13thirty staff and other members!
13thirty Threads: I am Still Here
I am Still Here – Vicki Ties It Together
13thirty member, Kelly (Hodgkin’s lymphoma) reflects on how her relationships changed after her diagnosis.
From the moment you learn you have cancer, your life changes and so do the relationships surrounding you. There will be those that rally around you cheering you on, offering their kindness, and showing their support. Unfortunately, there will be those that run away, hide, become distant, and eventually disappear. This happened to me. Has it happened to you?
When this happened I wanted to shout…I am still here! I am still the same person I was before cancer. Yet, I knew I wasn’t. My perspective had changed. My priorities had changed. And as a result, my relationships changed.
It is difficult to lose connection with someone close to you, especially during a time when everything seems so out of control. But at the same time, you are presented with a unique opportunity to open your heart and make room for new relationships. The friendships that I built during my cancer adventure are some of the nearest and dearest I will ever know, the beautiful souls that carried me through. Yes, they know who they are. They are forever in my heart.
You see, it is not you causing this rewiring of your relationship network – it is the disease. You are just getting a rare glimpse into the human condition. Your family and friends are merely showing their inner selves. Who is strong? Who is optimistic? Who is scared? We all handle difficult times in different ways. My advice – continue to love the ones who have run away and show grace to the ones who have disappeared. If it is meant to be, the universe will guide them back.
Until next time my dear friend.
Peace, love, and light.
Be well,
Vicki
Learn more about our upcoming events!
Game Night – AYAs
Connect with other AYAs while playing a new game. Let’s have another night full of laughs!
13thirty Programs: Wellness, Arts, and of course, Fun!
At 13thirty Cancer Connect, we host a variety of programs for our members and their parents. Offering regular programs helps address the unique challenges that AYA cancer can present. We try and tackle these challenges together through three program categories: wellness, arts, and social.
Wellness
Our wellness programs, focused on both nutrition and fitness, addresses healthier eating and getting back into shape following treatment. Last month we returned to 13thirty Fit! for both our AYAs and their parents. This month, we have a different kind of workout program; we’ll be led through a yoga class on Zoom!
Expressive Arts
Whether we’re painting Bandana Bolt medals, writing poetry, or practicing a performance for Journey’s, at 13thirty the work our AYAs do is incredible! Their compassion shines through as they share their stories with one another through their artwork, poetry, music, and more! This month we made Father’s Day cards to follow last month’s Mother’s Day cards.
Social
Getting to know other teens and young adults who understand the cancer experience is what 13thirty Cancer Connect is all about. Our Zoom game nights and happy hours are becoming hits and we will keep up the laughs and connections next month.
Guests
Wondering who can come to programs at the center and virtually on Zoom? 13thirty Cancer Connect programs are always free and we encourage members to bring a sibling or friend in the 13-30 age range. It may be eye opening to learn about the medical, physical, social, and emotional challenges facing our AYAs. Keep an eye out for our monthly program calendar. You can find it on both the Rochester and Syracuse program pages, as well as on the site calendar with our other events.