Yes To Life - Teens - Opening Up Alternatives for People With Cancer

Teens

From online social networking groups, to blogs and photo galleries, teenagers around the world are using the Internet in innovative ways to connect with each other and express themselves.

Teens affected by cancer are no different and there are now a whole host of sites for them to get involved in and support each other. We provide here some links to these and other organisations.

We also encourage you to let us know of any other useful resources you come across. You can reach us at office@yestolife.org.uk or on 0845 257 6950.

Resources for teens

Teenage Cancer Trust

Teenage Cancer Trust is a well-known charity aiming through its various initiatives to improve the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer. Its main focus is building units in NHS hopsitals specifically for teenagers. These units provide them with the kind of comfort and facilities they need, as well as with specialist care. TCT also have all kinds of emotional and educational support projects going on, as well as concerts and other fundraising initiatives.

Teens Living with Cancer

This lively site has all kinds of practical information from dealing with issues at school, to physical changes and exercise tips. There are discussion boards and, excitingly, opportunities to connect with other young people in a variety of cancer-related situations. Visitors can also tell their own story and share their ideas within the community.

Group Loop

Support and education for teens and their parents are the key ideas behind this innovative online community. Users can sign up to join the group and then get involved in all kinds of discussions, get help and support from other users, and access a wide range of practical pages for everyday living with cancer situations. There is always a featured teen and plenty of other things going on.

Cancer Really Sucks

This is a website designed by teens for teens and provides support through messageboards and chat to young people who have loved ones affected by cancer. There are a lot of tips on how to deal with different emotions like anger, sadness, and loneliness, as well as an ongoing music playlist and the opportunity to post your own story.

Starlight - Coping with Chemo

This innovative site consists of a series of animated 'webisodes' written by teens to help other teens deal with cancer. Each webisode deals with a different topic, such as getting your diagnosis, to dealing with side effects and telling your friends. Clicking on the 'Connect with other teens' link also takes visitors through to Starbright World, which is a social networking space with blogs, chat, bulletin boards and so on for teens worldwide who have chronic and life-threatening conditions.

Re-mission

Created by Hope Lab, Re-mission is a video game developed especially for young people with cancer. Players pilot a nanobot called Roxii as she travels through the bodies of fictional cancer patients destroying cancer cells and managing the side effects of cancer treatment. The game can be ordered or even downloaded from the site. This is not the only thing on offer, however, as the Re-mission website also has a Community and Content section where young people can submit artwork and poetry, add to top ten lists, and link through to lots of other sites about cancer, films, music, and sports.

Conquering Cancer Network

This resource is not a website but a CD-ROM for adolescents with solid tumors, where the focus is on 'empowering teens with tools, info, and inspiring stories'. There are 7 different sections, each representing a different aspect of living with cancer. The 'edutainment' approach adopted uses music, video, animation, and cool graphics to appeal to young people. You can order from the site and there is a 20% discount until June 2009. Please note that the version currently available is only PC-compatible. The Mac version is to be released soon.

2bMe

This site for teens puts the focus on providing straightforward information about things like how to deal with hair loss, how to make sure you keep up your social life, and how to eat a balanced diet.

Daily Strength - Teens with Cancer

This is an online space to join in discussions and exchange advice, and also to create your own cancer goals and track the progress of other members. There is also a chance for site visitors to share stories and photos, as well as to join specific groups.

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