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DURHAM, NC (WNCN) – Cancer is a scary diagnosis, but it can be particularly isolating for teenagers and young adults. The Duke Cancer Center has just received hundreds of thousands of dollars to expand its program for young adults with cancer.
When Shannon Voelkel was 23 years old, the doctors diagnosed her with cancer. She felt alone despite the support of her family.
"I would do laps around the floor just to see if there was another young adult patient out there," she said. "Every time I pbaded by, I was really sorry to have to sit in silence and walk around while I really wanted to sit and connect with someone."
Finally, she says she found someone in a similar situation.
"It was only during my third round of treatment that I met another young adult of my age and we immediately got in. I remember sitting in the room with her." and my face was just glowing, "said Voelkel.
Finding someone who understood his struggle gave him strength. She is involved in Duke's program for young adults with cancer, a program that is poised to grow with $ 400,000 donated by Teen Cancer America and First Citizens Bank.
"This gift will allow us to develop it exponentially," said Steven Patierno, deputy director of the Duke Cancer Institute. It will allow us to create spaces where they can build a community and meet. "
It will also provide experts to help with specific concerns for patients with adolescent cancer and 20 years of age.
"We will have a nurse navigator, a fertility specialist, a program coordinator who will focus on topics such as badual health and intimacy, work support," Patierno said.
Voelkel knows that it will make a difference for other young adults diagnosed for the first time, and even for her while she is fighting cancer again.
"It gives you hope, it gives you hope when you have a support system that rallies in your area," she said.
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