After surgery and months of chemotherapy, Leticia Hernandez felt relieved to have treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma behind her. But the isolation she experienced as a young adult cancer survivor lingered.

Support group members Joey Stewart and Leticia Hernandez (right).

“I came out of treatment feeling so lonely,” said Ms. Hernandez, 28, who is now cancer-free. So she began searching for assistance and found it in UT  Southwestern’s Young Adult Cancer Support (YACS) group. Composed of cancer survivors ages 18 to 39, the group gave her a place to comfortably share her fears.

“It’s very emotionally healing to be around other people who just get it,” Ms. Hernandez said.

The support group began in 2019 to help young cancer survivors connect with others like them, said Alex Huffman, LCSW, Assistant Director of Support Services and facilitator of the YACS Program. The Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center operates the program for its patients.

Alex Huffman, LCSW, Assistant Director of Support Services and facilitator of the YACS Program (left) chats with support group member Karen Barajas as she prepares vegetarian wild rice stuffed mushrooms.

Funded by donations and grants, the program has grown into one of the largest in the U.S. in terms of membership. It has an active list of more than 300 patients, with an average monthly meeting attendance of 25. Simmons Cancer Center staff always let new patients know about the support group as a potential resource as they navigate the stresses and complexities of their cancer journeys.

In addition to turning to each other for support, members gather for a monthly social activity such as bowling or a cooking class.

Support group members (from left) Nathan Warner, Karen Barajas, and Johanna Hernandez have some fun while cleaning up in the kitchen.

YACS, as the members call themselves, can have any cancer diagnosis or be in any stage of their disease. Breast, blood, and brain cancers are the most common diagnoses of current members.

As young cancer survivors, they face unique challenges related to work, school, health insurance, dating, relationships, sexuality, body image, fertility, spirituality, and emotional well-being, Ms. Huffman said. Since it can be hard for patients to meet independently, the group provides them a welcoming place to be together, she said.

Ms. Hernandez, who calls the group “the worst club with the best members,” said she welcomed the chance to be with others who understood what she was experiencing. Given so many misconceptions about cancer, it can be hard to talk about the disease with people who have not been through it, she said.

“People have the perception that you’re strong and inspiring, but that’s not the case all the time,” Ms. Hernandez said. “A lot of us are burdened quietly because we don’t want to inconvenience others.”

Support group members Katy Yost (left) and Maritza Figy dish out fruit and veggies for the harvest salad.

Maritza Figy, who helped found YACS and serves on its Planning Committee, said she wanted to form a community where people could develop lasting friendships.

“I just felt like it was important to be able to connect,” said Ms. Figy, 35. “We always say, ‘We just get it.’”

In 2016, when she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, it turned Ms. Figy’s world upside down. Like so many in the group, she felt isolated.

“I just finished graduate school and was starting a new job,” said Ms. Figy, who today is cancer-free. “Then I felt a lump in my throat, and I was on my own with Google. That’s pretty scary.”

It’s all hands on deck in the kitchen as support group members gather around to help out. From left: Valerie Cano, Katy Yost, Joey Stewart, Leticia Hernandez, and Maritza Figy.

She said YACS provided the support she needed over the years. The group also helped her acquire new self-care skills – such as mindfulness – that can be applied to other areas of her life.

“I have learned a lot about how important this community is to me,” Ms. Figy said.

Each meeting begins with fellowship over food and casual conversation.

Program volunteer Audrey Harrison (right) joins in the celebration with support group members Alana Rushing (left) and Victoria Phillips (center) to show off the festive finished holiday plates.

“It’s just really important that we always share a meal,” Ms. Huffman said. “It sets the tone, and it is a gentle way to support each other and provide comfort.”

After eating, YACS members talk about concerns that are on their minds, such as medical scan anxiety. Survivors also deal with a lot of grief – from the loss of their own good health and the death of others, including some group members, to the loss of what could have been, Ms. Huffman said.

“We talk about coping skills and normalizing emotions,” she said. “We also talk about joy, acceptance, gratitude, and mindfulness to focus on healing their minds and bodies.”

The appetizing fall-themed healthy food that support group members prepared, ready to eat.

The social aspect of the group is especially important because it allows members to forget about cancer and just have fun.

“It’s a huge help to have events where we are just being together,” Ms. Hernandez said. “We are not in a doctor’s office. We are not answering questions about cancer. We’re just out being normal.”

Recently, several YACS members got together for a cooking class on healthy holiday favorites.

“Participants teamed up to prepare a delicious, fall-themed meal and gathered around the table to enjoy the results of their hard work,” Ms. Huffman said. “Holidays can be especially challenging for those impacted by a cancer diagnosis, and this group allows space to express the hard emotions and receive support as well as celebrate the special moments and strength they have developed together.”

Members of the Young Adult Cancer Support group who participated in the holiday cooking class along with UTSW staff and group facilitator Alex Huffman (bottom left) gather for a group photo before ending the celebration.