Teen Cancer Lounge

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients often have unique needs as they navigate their cancer treatments as well as long-term impacts once they are in remission. The new 540-square-foot lounge, designed with input from a focus group made up of Children’s Hospital AYA patients, is outfitted with their needs and interests in mind.

Teen Cancer America, with generous support from Kylie Jenner, made a $550,000 philanthropic gift to build the new lounge space, located on the sixth floor of Children’s Hospital. The gift was made in honor of cancer survivor and singer-songwriter Harry Hudson, who was successfully treated for stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma after being diagnosed in 2013 at age 19. Jenner, the pop culture phenomenon, television star and CEO/Founder of Kylie Cosmetics, has been a longtime friend to Hudson.

The main sitting area offers electronic equipment (video games, big screen television), a selection of movies and streaming capabilities for favorite televisions shows, a WiFi connection, and space to interact with peers, which is critically important for the AYA population. Off the main area, there is also a meditation room.

“Teenagers and young adults with cancer face unique challenges compared to other patients, and their needs differ from young children or older adults with cancer The emotional and social support is critical to help them cope through their cancer journey,” said Scott Borinstein, MD, PhD, director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program and Scott and Tracie Hamilton Chair in Cancer Survivorship.

“When they are in the cancer clinic or in the hospital, they crave camaraderie and want to interact with individuals their age so they can talk about their experiences. Our partnership with Teen Cancer America allows us to create a distinctive space for our AYA cancer patients — a place where they can be separate from our younger patients – an area of the hospital all their own, and an environment specifically tailored to their wants and needs.”

The AYA lounge is part of an ongoing collaborative effort between Teen Cancer America (TCA) and Children’s Hospital that began in 2016 to raise funds to expand Children’s Hospital Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer program. Founded by The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, Teen Cancer America is a nationally recognized organization dedicated to transforming the lives of teens and young adults with cancer by helping hospitals and health care professionals bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care.