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New Cancer Center Opens in Syracuse A New Cancer Center Opens in Syracuse

Young cancer patients now have a new support group here in Syracuse.

By Alexa Roth

New Syracuse location for 13thirty
© 2019 Alexa Roth

[Reporter: Alexa Roth]
13-30 is a cancer support group that gives teens and young adults the ability to find comfort in others who share similar experiences. Programs at 13-thirty include exercise classes, art and social activities. Community Relations coordinator, Katie Lannon says that participants become a family.

[NAME: KATIE LANNON]
“There’s a huge social barrier when kids get sick…a lot of them keep to themselves because a lot of their friends don’t know what to say, and they just lose contact…. so that’s why this is huge, to give them friends that understand it.”

[Name:Alexa Roth]
The kids and young adults in the program, find comfort in knowing others are experiencing a similar situation.

[Name: KATIE LANNON]
“….When people are connecting, they’re like oh I had the same chemo, or I went to the same hospital, when you’re going through that, it’s nice to know other people that know exactly what’s happening.”>

[Name: Alexa Roth
In the next five years, 13-thirty hopes to expand to more cities around the country. .. Alexa Roth, N-C-C News

By Alexa Roth SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)- A brand new cancer center dedicated to teens and young adults, opened in Syracuse. 13thirty is a community-based cancer center for teens and young adults to find support in one another. The goal of the center is to help those from ages 13 to 30 live life to the fullest.

13thirty offers exercise classes to promote health and nutrition as one of their main programs. Katie Lannon, Community Relations Coordinator, says the programs are so important because they help the participants connect with one another.

“There’s a huge social barrier when kids get sick…a lot of them keep to themselves because a lot of their friends don’t know what to say, and they just loose contact….so that’s why this is huge, to give them friends that understand it.”

The reason for expanding the Rochester-based facility  was because of a patient named Charlie Poole. Poole who was from the Syracuse area, traveled to Rochester to get involved in the program. After his passing in 2018, Poole’s family decided to make it their mission to raise money and fund the new center here in Syracuse.

Since opening in Syracuse, Lannon hopes that the new fitness center and full kitchen will draw in many teens and young adults to the program here. Patients who come to 13thirty get the social interaction with others that they wouldn’t find at their hospital.

Support groups are important to those going through cancer, or even survivors of cancer, because it’s good to have others who understand. “…. When people are connecting, they’re like oh I had the same chemo, or I went to the same hospital, when you’re going through that, it’s nice to know other people who know exactly what’s happening”, Lannon says.

Cancer patients and survivors can learn more about 13thirty through their doctor or hospital. This unique cancer support group also offers support for parents of the patients and provides them with a way to get involved with their kids as well. 13thirty is vital part of these young kids and teens, who are facing similar illnesses.

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