BUFFALO, N.Y. — Most people have heard of Coachella, but what about Cancerchella?

“We have 150 people signed up from throughout the weekend to come and join us to come here,” said Ashley King, coordinator for the Young Adult Program at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

For the second year in a row, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center held a two-day event to bring young adult cancer patients and survivors together.

“Young adults have a lot of different challenges that sometimes aren't thought about. Maybe they are still in college or they're starting a new job. They're dating and they have a young family. They have these extra challenges that people don't really think about the need for that support,” King said. 

What You Need To Know

  • Cancer rates among young adults is on the rise

  • About 80,000 adults between the ages 20 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society

  • The rise makes support and resources even more important for young adults that are diagnosed.

That was the case for Meghan, who was diagnosed with stage four classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2023. 

“I had just turned 30 and I had just had a baby right beforehand, so my baby was five months old when I was diagnosed,” said Meghan McEvoy. “I got the call from my doctor… and I remember when I hung up, I just looked at my husband and I said, we need to get a will because I may die. And what do we do now that we have a baby and we're at the house? Like, what are the next steps? I have to make sure that you guys are OK if I'm not going to be here.”

Outside of the support she received from her husband, she found community through Roswell’s Young Adult Program. She is now in remission for the second time.

“Nobody wants to be a part of this club," said McEvoy. "It's an amazing club to be a part of if you qualify, but nobody wants to qualify. Unfortunately, the rates of cancer in young adults, it's actually going up. So it is important to have these services because it's going to happen more and more often until we can figure out why it's happening and have a cure."

As the rates increase, resources for young adults diagnosed have become even more important.

“The other aspect of this is a heightened awareness of prevention and screening, and so, because if you detect cancer early, you have a much better outcome to survive it,” said Candace Johnson, president and CEO of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“It's heartbreaking when someone gets diagnosed. But we want them to know that we're here and we're able to support them when they do,” King said.