Scottish Youth Forum

Aileen Campbell MSP has officially launched the Youth Cancer Forum Scotland (YCFS), an organisation - set up by three existing cancer charities - giving Scottish young people with cancer the opportunity to have their say. At the launch event in Perth, Aileen Campbell, the young MSP, met with thirty young people from Scotland that have been affected by cancer. She discussed with them the challenges they face as a result of their cancer, and the changes they would want the Scottish Parliament to make on their behalf. 
 
Working in partnership with each other, the Youth Cancer Forum Scotland has been established by CLIC Sargent, Tak Tent and Teenage Cancer Trust. Funding for the launch of the Forum has been provided by the Big Lottery Fund. 
 
Tracy Rodger, one of the organisers of the Forum, says: “Young people with cancer are a hidden group in society. As a result of their treatment, many miss out on vital years of education, instead spending months and sometimes years in hospital on treatment. This can have a lasting impact; it can mean some young people lose out on opportunities to go onto further education, or that they struggle to develop ‘normal’ relationships with their peers.   Part of the reason this forum is so important is because it gives these young people the change to raise awareness of the issues affecting them.  The importance of this is should not be underestimated.”
 
Speaking about her part in the event, Aileen Campbell MSP says: “It is a pleasure to return to my home town to launch such a valuable resource for young people with cancer in Scotland. This national Forum will bring together young people through annual conferences and social events as well as creating an online community for those who are isolated due to treatment or geographical constraints. It is fantastic that the needs and views of these young people will be represented through the Forum and I looking forward to seeing what comes out of it in the future.”

Twenty-four-year-old Andy Craig from Aberdeen is one of the founding members of the Youth Cancer Forum Scotland and will be speaking to the delegation at the launch. Three and a half years ago Andy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in the leg and underwent surgery at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He also had nine months of chemotherapy at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Andy says: “It came as such a shock when the doctors told me that the pain in my leg was due to a tumour. My treatment started almost immediately. I was on an adult ward where generally everyone was double my age and I felt very isolated and alone. I was lucky that I had friends and family nearby, and they were great, but it is not the same as being able to speak to someone your own age that is going through the same life changing experience. 
 
“I am so excited about what this Forum will be able to do to support young people who are undergoing traumatic cancer treatments. By accessing peer support through the Forum many will be able to better cope with the short and long term effects of cancer as well as reduce the sense of isolation that they can feel. Within the group we will also be addressing issues such as age-appropriate care and support both in hospitals and in the community, as well as access to grants and benefits.”

For more information about the Youth Cancer Forum Scotland, log onto its new website: http://www.ycfscot.org/.