Teenage Cancer Trust

Each day in the UK, 6 teenagers are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is more common than you think – it is the most non-accidental death in teens and young adults in the UK. One in every 330 boys and one in every 420 girls will contract cancer before their 20th Birthday. In many cases, cancer in teens is not picked up early enough and symptoms are dismissed as growing pains or sports injuries. Because teenagers are undergoing growth spurts, their cancers grow faster than other age groups and they can be at greater risk.

Teenage Cancer Trust appointed the world’s first Professor of Adolescent Cancer Medicine in October 2005. TCT has invested £2.5million over 10 years to fund Professor Tim Eden and his team, who will act as a national research lead and voice on teenage cancer issues as well as increasing research, international collaboration and clinical trial opportunities.

Katie Walker Cancer trust aim to help TCT fund the Professor with his research into Teenage Cancers especially Germ Cell Tumours as this was one of Katie’s final wishes. Katie wanted to be remembered for helping others. Even though Katie lost her battle with Cancer she wanted to raise funds to find a cure and stop other teenagers and young adults from suffering with this disease.

TCT also build dedicated units, Katie was treated in the TCT Sheffield Unit that opened in 2002. It has 5 beds and TCT is enhancing the unit in 2007 with the building of a conservatory. If this unit had not existed Katie would not have coped as well as she did with her illness. The units are filled with computers, TVs, game consoles, kitchens, facilities for parents to stay close overnight and staffed with professionals fully able to deal with the specific needs of teenage patients.

To make a difference please donate now

Please visit www.teenagecancertrust.org and find out more about the only charity to specialise in Teenage Cancers