Roswell Park's Young Adult Program

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Roswell Park's Young Adult Program

Support squad and community, specifically for cancer patients and survivors in their 20s and 30s

Join our Icecycle team! Now what?

https://give.roswellpark.org/site/TR?team_id=24541&fr_id=2140&pg=team You're a young adult, and you've been diagnosed with cancer. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is what.

72,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer yearly, and Roswell Park recognizes the need to enhance treatment for YA's. Roswell is not just expanding medical care for teens and Young Adults, it has also created a program to enhance treatment and address the needs that are specific to YA's. You learned you had cancer in one day but the Young Adult Program is here for you from treatment through survivorship. The YA Program focuses on insurance, fertility, peer support/relationships, employment, clinical trials, psychosocial support, survivorship, and helping YOU do what you want to do with or without cancer (preferably without).

02/18/2026

It’s almost time 🚲

It’s not too late to register for with the Young Adult Program Pedal Crew and ride alongside fellow patients, survivors, caregivers, and staff during the Patient and Survivor Hope Ride! 🩵 Raise funds for cancer research and patient care programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center!

*A reminder that the registration fee & fundraising minimum has been waived for the Hope Ride so that everyone can come together to celebrate and honor the center of our mission ➖ patients and survivors! Use promo code HOPE26 to register!

Visit the 🔗 in our bio or stories to register today and join us for the COOLEST workout around! ❄️❄️

02/13/2026

Introducing our newest team member; our Young Adult Program Coordinator, Sydney ✨

Sydney assumed the role of Young Adult Program Coordinator back in the summer of 2025 and has hit the ground running creating diversionary and psychosocial programming for our Young Adult patients, survivors, and their families!

Learn more about Sydney below! ⬇️

What led you to working with the Young Adult population?
• ‘My own encounters with the healthcare system as a teen and young adult have made me incredibly passionate about the overall patient experience, especially in this phase of life.’

What is the most meaningful part of your job?
• ‘Being able to facilitate environments and experiences where young adult patients and their families/caregivers can form bonds with one another over shared experiences and understanding.’

What do you feel is the biggest misconception about cancer as a young adult?
• ‘It’s often assumed that when a patient finishes treatment, they are “back to normal.” However, survivorship does not end with treatment—it is a lifelong journey that requires personalized care, continued follow-up, and support.’

What brings you joy outside of work?
• ‘Spending time with my husband and my tuxedo cat, Toby. In my free time, I coach tumbling at an All Star Cheerleading organization.’

We are thrilled to have Sydney as a part of the team - let’s give her a warm welcome in the comments below! 🩵

02/10/2026

We are ready for you, IceCycle! 🚴‍♂️

This past weekend, members from the Young Adult Program Pedal Crew & Team Courage of Carly came together to participate in a practice spin class to prepare for the coolest workout of the year! 🧊

Thank you to Revolution Buffalo for hosting us and helping everyone get comfortable with spin! 🩵 We are PUMPED to take the ice in March to raise money for pediatric and young adult cancer research and patient programs!

02/04/2026

World Cancer Day reminds us that community and support matters ➖ especially for young adults navigating cancer and survivorship during an ever changing phase of life… You are never alone 🩵

01/31/2026

Say hello to our Program Manager, Megan Crawford ⭐️

Megan serves as the Pediatric and Young Adult Program Manager, where she oversees psychosocial and diversionary programming for children, teens, and young adults facing a cancer diagnosis here at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has been a part of creating meaningful moments for patients, survivors, and their families for the past 7 years, and stepped into this new role in 2025!

Learn more about Megan here! ⬇️

What led you to working with the Young Adult population?
• ‘Much of my career has been around patients 0-21 years old, and I wanted to help create these similar spaces that we have established in pediatrics, but where young adults feel seen, supported, and connected to who they are beyond their diagnosis.’

What is the most meaningful part of your job?
• ‘The most meaningful part of my job is helping young adults reclaim moments of normalcy, joy, and connection during an incredibly difficult time. Watching them build community and realize they’re not alone is everything.’

What do you feel is the biggest misconception or misunderstanding about cancer as a young adult?
• ‘I would say in general there is a lack of understanding on the large rippling impact of a cancer diagnosis during young adulthood. This time of life transitions is a lot at baseline, and cancer can deeply disrupt identity, relationships, education, careers, and mental health at such a critical point in life.’

What brings you joy outside of work?
• ‘Outside of work, I find joy in travel, live music, and spending time with the people I love.’

We thank Megan for the dedication and expertise she brings to this role and beyond! 🩵

01/27/2026

Talk about a hole-in-one kind of day! ⛳️

This past weekend, our YA members and their families were able to escape the cold to join us for indoor mini golf and driving range fun! 💚 We loved seeing everyone swing big and smile even bigger!

01/23/2026

Meet our Program Director, Dr. Rokitka 🩺

Dr. Rokitka serves as the Director of both our Young Adult and Oncofertility Programs here at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. In addition, she also serves as the Director of Pediatric and Adolescent Survivorship. She has been working with Young Adult patients for over a decade, and has been named to the list of Top Doctors for 2026 by Buffalo Spree magazine! 🩵

Get to know a bit more about her here! ⬇️

What led you to working with the Young Adult population?
• ‘It was a natural fit with my work in survivorship and already seeing young adult patients. Plus, there is a strong need for access to resources and support in this population.’

What do you feel is the biggest misconception about cancer as a young adult?
• ‘I think people don’t realize how many facets of a young adult’s life is affected by a cancer diagnosis and how hard it is to navigate the healthcare system as a young adult.’

What brings you joy outside of work? How do you practice self-care?
• ‘Spending time with my kids and husband and watching the Buffalo Bills & Toronto BlueJays’! 🏈⚾️

Thank you Dr. Rokitka for your dedication to Young Adult patients and for the incredible support you provide!

01/20/2026

The Young Adult Program is thrilled to be hosting a virtual info session with our friends from Neighborhood Legal Services 💼

Join us on Tuesday, January 27th at 6:00pm to learn more about the cancer-related legal basics, such as employment, insurance, wills, and more! 🙌🏼

This event is open to ALL patients, as NLS provides services to patients of any age who meet certain eligibility criteria! For more info you can visit them at: https://www.roswellpark.org/cancer-care/support/legal-care

🔗 Scan the QR code above, visit our stories, or use this link to REGISTER TODAY: https://forms.office.com/r/RF31YhFRRW

01/17/2026

Community, connection, and self-care… A short list of some of our ‘ins’ for 2026 🙌🏼

Thank you to for providing our members with a relaxing Skincare & Facial class this past week! Our members were just GLOWING from the inside out! ✨

01/13/2026

Together, we ride 🚴‍♂️

You’re invited to join the Young Adult Program Pedal Crew at IceCycle’s NEW Patient and Survivor Hope Ride ➖ a special cycling session created to celebrate YOU; cancer patients and survivors, along with your caregivers and loved ones!

🗓️ Saturday, March 7th
⏰ 9:30-10:15am
📍 Buffalo RiverWorks
🚫 No cycling experience needed, this session is for everyone!

Sign up with the Young Adult Program Pedal Crew team & raise $100 by January 31st to get a special, YA program long sleeved tee to wear during the ride! ❄️ Visit our stories & highlights to get a sneak peek!

🩵 Every dollar raised goes to supporting cancer research and patient care programs, such as the Young Adult Program! 🩵

🔗 Sign up to secure your spot at Buffalo’s coolest event at the link in our bio & stories!

01/09/2026

A new year, a fresh look 🩵

✨ Our updated postcard highlights our Young Adult Program offerings & the dedicated team here to support you every step of the way! ✨

You can find our new postcards at various clinics around the hospital ➖ and stay tuned throughout the month of January, as we’ll be introducing the incredible team members who make this program possible!

01/01/2026

✨ Here’s to a new year full of connection, hope, and moments that remind us we are never truly alone! ✨

Happy New Year from the Young Adult Program 🩵

Address

Elm & Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY
14263

Telephone

+17163413151

Website

http://www.RoswellPark.org/YoungAdults

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