Teenagers and young adults facing a cancer diagnosis have different needs to adults and are at a vulnerable stage in their life as well as the stress of ill health and the physical changes cancer may bring – hair loss, amputation and fertility issues. Specialised care is required not just in terms of their illness, but also in terms of their educational, financial and relationship needs. There is a need for a TYA Nurse locally to ensure that these patients receive the most appropriate care.

Medical charity Cobalt has been raising funds to support this important role, based at Gloucestershire Hospital, since 2011. NHS budgets can only cover this post part-time. The TYA Nurse also works to improve the rates of early diagnosis within this age range as very often young people get a late cancer diagnosis. Medical Charity Cobalt have pledged to fundraise to cover the salary costs for three years, a cost of £97,782 and rely on support from the community and grants to make this happen.