Introducing the ElevateYouth Allies Board,

Elevate YAB!

What is this?

   Elevate YAB is a place where young adults ages 15-25 are coming together to volunteer their time, use their passions and elevate their skills to become educated advocates to fulfill Elevate’s mission, to dramatically improve and save the lives of those diagnosed with childhood cancer.

   We have created this space to allow young people to gather, learn, share, explore, volunteer and flourish under this specialized collective and collaborative space! We know that our youth has so much to offer and want to make sure that they have the opportunity to go beyond what we’ve seen thus far, and truly make a difference in the lives of their peers and those that follow!

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   Simra Ahsan, a student at Portland State University, Committee Leader of the new Elevate YAB shares,

“Why I want to get involved in Elevate? It’s kind of a mini story…

 

   When I chose to attend the cc-TDI Wilms tumor and Rhabdomyosarcoma nanocourse for fun, I had no idea that I would be working with parents that lost children and had children going through chemo for cancer. I had no idea that there were so many layers of hardships that families and patients went through when they are diagnosed with cancer.

  [Learn more about Wilms HERE and Rhabdo HERE]

   When you aren’t personally impacted by something you never realize how bad it is. I used to see school shootings and think “OMG that’s terrible“, then move on about my day. After being in an “almost school shooting” I realized that there are different layers of trauma. I understand what it means to feel hopeless as a kid. At that moment, I had promised myself that I was never going to sit back and wait for someone to make a difference, I was going to be the one to make a difference and to fight for what I thought was right.

 

   At the nanocourse I learned about the trauma and memories that parents deal with after a child’s death. It was like these people were living in a totally different world than I was. Before leaving, the parents at the nanocourse asked the students like me  to not stop fighting for their kids that passed away from cancer.

That’s not a promise you forget.”

   When the opportunity came available to organize Elevate YAB , Simra jumped at the chance to make that difference.  Now she has the opportunity to share with other young people about the needs of childhood cancer, and that they have all been empowered to do something about it!

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Ryan Spoon, a current student at Indiana University, the Elevate Board Vice Chair, and Board Leader of the new Elevate YAB shares: 

“We need passionate people involved, and that means finding people who care not because of something that happened to them, but people who just care.”

Ryan was 18 years old and a freshman in college when his older brother Justin, 21 at the time, and a senior in college was diagnosed with cancer. Ryan saw firsthand the devastating effects of Rhabdomyosarcoma, not just on his brother but how it impacted his entire family, his whole life.

“Not only is my mission to save others, but it is to help spread the word and find people who want to help because it is the right thing to do. I probably would never have gotten involved in something like this if I hadn’t experienced the tragedy firsthand, which is unfortunately true of most people involved in not just Elevate, but all childhood cancer-related charities.”

Overseeing this committee just makes sense for Ryan.  Leading by an example he will give insight into the harsh reality of childhood cancer, but also how we can move forward to change the future course for those diagnosed. Far too many young people are affected by childhood cancers, like Rhabdomyosarcoma, and it’s time we stand up for more effective, less harsh options and learn how to make this happen together.

“My reason for getting involved is extremely straightforward. My brother is dead, and I want to do my best to prevent others from suffering the same fate from the same disease.”

The Elevate YAB committee is ready for action.

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Sounds interesting, but you want to know more?

    Currently a survey for those interested in learning more about being involved and the opportunities within this group is available.

Scan the code, take a few minutes to do the survey, and see if this might just be the place that changes not only your life and outlook but the lives of so many others.