Too Young for Breast Cancer? Not at this Conference

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Jamie Larson
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The Largest Conference Dedicated to Young Adults Affected by Breast Cancer Comes to Austin

Austin, Texas (February 7, 2019) -- The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) will host more than 600 young breast cancer survivors, co-survivors and healthcare providers in Austin, Texas, March 8-10, 2019, for the 4th annual YSC Summit. As the only national conference for young survivors and their co-survivors (spouses, partners, family and friends), the YSC Summit offers three days of sessions from leading experts in oncology and supportive care.

More than 250,000 adults living in the U.S. today were diagnosed with breast cancer before their 41st birthday. Approximately 12,000 young adults will be diagnosed this year alone. The emotional and medical concerns affecting this population are different from people who are diagnosed later in their lives.

The YSC Summit features inspirational speakers, educational and psychosocial workshops and wellness activities addressing the unique issues that young adults with breast cancer and their co-survivors face. Participants will have access to the most current, evidence-based information to make decisions about their health care. A key component is the opportunity to network with a community of other young survivors and co-survivors from across the country.

“The energy at the YSC Summit is amazing. For most of our attendees, they are the youngest person in their oncologist’s office back home,” said Jennifer Merschdorf, Chief Executive Officer of Young Survival Coalition, who was diagnosed at age 36. “This conference provides a space where they can meet people going through similar experiences. Some are meeting other young survivors for the first time. That’s powerful.”

Registration is open at summit.youngsurvival.org.

The YSC Summit will be March 8-10, 2019, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. The registration fee is $180 and fundraising opportunities are available to help with the cost of attending.

Conference keynote speakers include renowned author Dr. Susan Love, Chief Visionary Officer of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, and Dr. Don Dizon, Director of Women’s Cancers at the Lifespan Cancer Institute.

The conference includes workshop sessions for those newly diagnosed as well as those finished with treatment. There are also special tracks for co-survivors and for young adults living with metastatic breast cancer. Workshops led by healthcare professionals will focus on topics such as dating, fertility and family planning, genetics, managing the emotions of others, ways to implement healthy lifestyle changes, and coping strategies for co-survivors. This year’s lineup will also include a half-day retreat for metastatic survivors and their co-survivors that focuses on leaving a legacy. Wellness activities include HIIT, PoundFit and yoga classes. Social activities include a cocktail reception, Wild West Dance Party and a Guys-Only Hangout.

Video highlights of past Summits can be found here.

For complete registration details, schedule of workshops and speakers, please visit summit.youngsurvival.org or call 877.972.1011.

About Young Survival Coalition (YSC) ®

Established in 1998, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier organization dedicated to young adults affected by breast cancer. Founded by three young survivors, YSC began as a grassroots organization to advocate on behalf of all young adults diagnosed with breast cancer to increase their length and quality of life. Based in New York City with networks nationwide, YSC provides free resources, connections and educational materials so young adults affected by breast cancer feel supported, empowered and hopeful. YSC seeks to educate and influence the medical, research and legislative communities to address breast cancer in young adults, and to ensure that no young adult faces breast cancer alone.