Adolescents and Young Adults Cancer Foundation
San Antonio
AYA Foundation San Antonio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization based in San Antonio, Texas. We are a diverse group of physicians, other medical professionals, students, and public advocates working to empower Adolescents & Young Adults to fight Cancer.
AYAs Speak
"AYA Foundation has helped me lift a huge weight off my shoulders by providing financial relief. Prior to my diagnosis I was working and attending school which helped pay for my living expenses. However, I had to quit my job and medically withdraw from college spring of my junior year. I’m still unemployed and have had a tough time getting approved for SSI. With all my medical expenses and only my mom’s income, it has been hard for my family to make ends meet. The AYA Foundation was gracious enough to help pay one of the utility bills that we were 2 months behind on. I am very thankful that the AYA Cancer Foundation and people like Dr. Estrada and his team exist. Through them, I was able to receive the help I needed."
- Ana
"My name is Maya Linville, and I'm a 16 year old cancer patient. I was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and fortunately, had enough time before starting treatment to undergo an egg retrieval! Not only that, but due to the AYA, the grant helped alleviate the additional financial stress on my family.
With the diagnosis alone, I already felt sick and extremely anxious. Learning that infertility was a possibility with chemotherapy treatment just added to the building sense of worry, defeat, and fearfulness. I didn't want to lose the choice to have children, especially at such a young age.
Learning that organizations based in San Antonio could offer medical and financial support was extremely relieving. The news gave me hope and helped quench some of the panic. That is why I wanted to write to you and the AYA organization to express my unending gratitude. Thank you so much for the dedication of you and your team!! The AYA's mission towards protecting the fertility of recently diagnosed young adults is exceedingly important.
- Maya
"Hello I am Kathrine, I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with a rare ovarian cancer called an Immature Teratoma. I was diagnosed on 12/19 after feeling constipation for over a week. I went to the ER and they found a 18cm mass on my left ovary. I had surgery to remove the mass, my left ovary and fallopian tube. I sadly did not have insurance at this time to cover any of the surgery or hospital visit. This has been weighing on me and now having started chemo for 3 weeks now I was in financial hardship. I was able to find the AYA foundation by searching the web to help. They were the only foundation not closed for help and I was able to apply and I heard back in an amazing time frame. AYA foundation has helped me tremendously by giving me a grant to help with the financial pressure I was stressing about. This foundation has given me a breather and has lifted my spirits tremendously. I don't know what I would do without them."
"Hello I'm David I'm 33 at the age of 25 I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) on my left pelvis. Due to the damage done to the area my left leg had to be amputated. Due to the surgery and treatment I'm still here. I'm thankful for this as I get to spend more time with my friends and family on this earth. I have had re-occurrences which causes financial strains.. Even though I'm frugal with my expenses there are times when I need to spend on things I may need in order to help with my quality of life and just recently I am in need of a new wheelchair as I'm not as thin as I used to be at 25.. As some of you may know medical equipment isn't the most affordable thing so I'm very grateful that during this time of need The AYA Foundation of San Antonio has been able to provide me with much needed help. Now I will be able to sit appropriate and enjoy going out more as I will be able to be comfortable in my outings and when I go for my doctor appointments!"