My daughter, Christy

My daughter, Christy, developed a cancer known as chorio--carcinoma, which was a complication of a tubular pregnancy, when she was twenty. Christy struggled with that disease for a year and a half. Despite the pain, the fatigue, the nausea, the fear and the uncertainty, she never ceased to amaze me with her amount of "inner strength" and determination. In addition to dealing with her own disease, Christy would lend her support to all those around her.

After investigating a few support groups and working with the hospitalís social workers, Christy realized there really was not a group around that dealt with the specific problems of young adults. In addition, she felt the patients in general needed to be able to share issues and experiences amongst themselves without parents and staff around. So, in her typical take charge manner, she solicited the support of the hospital staff and managed to put a group together that was not only beneficial to herself, but also those around her.

Sometimes they dealt with some difficult issues and sometimes they would just get together to have a good time. Sometimes they would invite a doctor or social worker in and have group discussions, instead of just "one on ones."

She and I both felt it would have been great if this had been established beforehand and was available on a wider basis. I saw how much that group helped Christy and the others deal with their disease and I am very proud of her for putting it together on her own. So, when I heard about the Healthy Young Attitude being formed I knew right away I wanted to help keep this idea growing.

I am hopeful that a secondary benefit will come to the parents of those in the group. Christy and I have always been very close and I wanted to be involved in all the discussions and decisions, just like when she was a little girl. However, the doctors dealt with Christy as a young adult totally independently, with little appreciation that one does not stop being a parent just because your child reached the age of 18. My needs were not being met at all. I found it difficult to get access to data on the disease, and to try to assure that she was always receiving the best available care without creating a problem. I would like to see the website grow to become a support group for parents as well as the young adults and to make it easier for all involved to

Christy's Dad