Teens, young adults benefit from her wisdom
Lindsey Chase considers herself an introvert.
One wouldn’t know, though, by her involvement with MD Anderson’s new Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Advisory Council or her participation in a half-marathon with the Leukemiam and Lymphoma Society.
Chase, 20, was diagnosed three years ago with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and began treatment at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. Along the way, she lost some friends and her long hair, and she developed some side effects from treatment, but she still says cancer was the best thing that has happened to her.
Now, Chase is using her experience to help other teens and young adults at MD Anderson.
AYA Advisory Council focuses on issues
Every month, she joins young adult survivors and hospital staff on the AYA Advisory Council to discuss issues that patients face during and after treatment. Serving on the hospital’s first patient advisory council, she has formed new friendships with fellow members.
“I hope to improve on the things I didn’t like as a patient so that someone else’s experience can be that much better,” Chase says.
“We’re working hard to connect AYA patients through social activities with their peers being treated at MD Anderson, and we’re educating staff on how to talk with AYA patients. It’s been fun.”
