RALEIGH, N.C., April 4, 2016 – A cancer diagnosis is scary for anyone, and can be especially hard for teenagers who must go it alone without the comfort of their peers. That’s why Roger Daltrey, lead singer of THE WHO and founder of Teen Cancer America, is coming to North Carolina to help hospitals and healthcare professionals bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care. Daltrey will be in Raleigh on April 28 to host an event with leaders of the State’s business, healthcare and social communities to raise awareness and funds for planned teen cancer units in hospitals serving NC teens.

Teen Cancer America, a nonprofit, partners with hospitals throughout the United States to develop specialized facilities and services for teens and young adults with cancer. By building teen friendly environments, Teen Cancer America helps to enhance the hospital experience and develops standards for age-targeted care, improve collaboration between pediatric and adult specialists and enable dedicated research to improve outcomes and survival.

Currently, Teen Cancer America has 42 hospitals open or in the planning stages in America. Current units for youth cancer care include Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. With support from Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina is working to become a leader in the fight against teenage cancer

Founding TCA Board Member, Sally Webb of The Special Event Company in Cary, NC, is driving the effort to bring facilities to the State, with the financial support of First Citizens Bank. The bank has been a major champion with their ‘Let My Love Open the Door’ advertising campaign

Last week, the legendary rocker, accompanied by Webb, addressed a committee hearing on Capitol Hill to add his voice to the effort to #CuresNow, describing the 21st Century Cures Act as “fantastic” and “so necessary.” The bill would help to modernize and streamline the technology that is necessary to help teenagers with cancer.

At the upcoming Raleigh event, the healthcare and business communities will have the unique opportunity to hear firsthand from patients about the positive benefits that specialized teen cancer units provide.

QUOTES:

Daltrey Quote: Our teens deserve better. Spending months confined to a single room in a ward surrounded by babies or with older people is torture for young patients, who still want to be teenagers while going through difficult treatment. North Carolina has been a trendsetter in bringing statewide support to our organization, with a blueprint we can replicate throughout the nation. I am looking forward to the April 28 event as the opportunity to see this high level leadership first-hand.

Webb Quote: After decades of unwavering support by Roger for teenage specific facilities and treatments, first in the UK then here in the USA for the past four years, the support our region has given to TCA makes me very proud of our progressive community. It is a wonderful accolade to our business and community leaders that they would embrace our vision and support us with such incredible resources and funding.

NEW MEDIA CONTENT:

Teen Cancer America Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TeenCancerAmerica/

Teen Cancer America Twitter:

https://twitter.com/teencancerusa/

Teen Cancer America Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/teencanceramerica/

Teen Cancer America YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/TeenCancerAmerica

Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing: 21st Century Cures Act

https://energycommerce.house.gov/news-center/press-releases/curtain-call-conversation-child-cures-rocks-house

Let My Love Open the Door Campaign

www.letmyloveopenthedoor.com

ABOUT TEEN CANCER AMERICA:

Following in the footsteps of the highly developed and successful Teenage Cancer Trust – Teen and Young Adult Cancer Program out of the U.K., Teen Cancer America is designed to help hospitals and healthcare professionals bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care. Teen Cancer America aims to educate and support hospitals and outpatient facilities in the development of specialized units for this age group. The units are a place just for teens and young adults where the cancer experience is understood and the importance of living life through the cancer journey is nourished.

Teen Cancer America’s work supports the coming together of physicians and allied healthcare professionals in both pediatric and adult oncology so that the teen and young adult cancer patient care becomes closer to where it needs to be. Age targeted care for this population is necessary for medical and appropriate psychosocial development of this unique age group. Research shows that some cancers that target this particular age group have not improved in over thirty years while improvements have been made in both pediatric and adult cancers alike. Teens and young adults with cancer are long overdue for an upgrade and Teen Cancer America can hopefully light the fire in America’s health systems.

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