The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center has announced plans to team with national nonprofit Teen Cancer America and First Citizens Bank to enhance its Adolescent and Young Adult, or AYA, cancer program.

These plans include expanding its research initiatives and developing a new space to serve this age group.

Teen Cancer America executive director Simon Davies said growth in this field is real, which is important because teens with cancer require unique care.

“Young people with cancer have unique needs that differ from both children and older adults,” said Davies. “They face unique medical and psychological challenges.”

Chief strategy officer for Raleigh-based First Citizens Bank Jeff Ward said part of this unique care includes simply realizing that they are teens and not adults.

“We all want teens who are battling cancer to feel like teens, despite hopefully facing the biggest challenge they’ll ever face,” said Ward.

Teen Cancer America, which was founded by Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend of the popular British rock band The Who, has partnered with First Citizens Bank with plans to open over 50 cancer centers in the next decade.

Director of UNC Lineberger Shelton Earp said that with the help of First Citizens and Teen Cancer America, Lineberger can continue to treat as wide of a range of patients as possible.

“We don’t have the ability to say, ‘we’re going to do only these diseases well’,” said Earp. “We have to take care of people at the best level we can, and I am so proud of how we do that.”

For more information on Teen Cancer America, clicj here.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Officials Discuss Surgical Towers and Campus Development
Plans for new surgical towers at UNC Hospitals were presented by university representatives to the Chapel Hill Town Council during a business meeting held earlier in the week. The presentation was made by Anna Wu, the associate vice chancellor for facilities services, who noted that the proposed location of the towers has been modified. “The […]
'I Could Not Be Happier': UNC's Nabarun Dasgupta Wins 'Genius' Grant for Lifesaving Work in Opioid Fight
UNC researcher Nabarun Dasgupta discusses winning a MacArthur "genius" grant - and the lifesaving research that earned it.
Observations from UNC Men's Basketball's Exhibition Win vs. Winston-Salem State
UNC defeated Winston-Salem State 95-53 in its final exhibition of the preseason at the Dean Smith Center Wednesday night. Here are some observations and takeaways from the Tar Heels’ performance: A slow start leads to a dominant second half Carolina appeared ready to run away early by taking an 18-5 lead, bur Winston-Salem State cut […]
UNC Football at Syracuse (2025): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
Carolina will travel to upstate New York this week to take on Syracuse Friday night. It’s UNC’s first trip to the Orange’s JMA Wireless Dome since the 2018 season. If you aren’t going with the team to Syracuse, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to listen on the radio […]
Chansky's Notebook: Free Luka!
With what has happened to the rule of law in this country, UNC clearing Luka Bogavac to play immediately should be a no-brainer.
'We Will Not Be Afraid': Chapel Hill Community Rallies in Support of Higher Education
Indivisible Orange County recently hosted a Right to Light rally in support of academic freedom in higher education.
UNC Women's Basketball vs. South Carolina (2025): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC will travel down to Atlanta for an exhibition game against head coach Dawn Staley and No. 2 South Carolina Thursday night as part of the Bad Boy Mowers Series. The Gamecocks lost to UConn in the national championship game last season. If you aren’t traveling to Atlanta with the team, here’s how you can […]
'He's Not Afraid': UNC Believes It's Found Another DMV Stud in Freshman Derek Dixon
UNC has been impressed with its early returns on freshman Derek Dixon, who was named the Washington, D.C. Player of the Year in high school.
2025 UNC Football Opponent Preview: Syracuse
UNC will make a rare road trip when it ventures up to upstate New York Friday night to take on Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome. It’s the first time the Tar Heels will have played the Orange in Syracuse since 2018. Syracuse enters on a four-game losing streak and sits at 3-5 overall after […]
UNC Falls in Another Heartbreaker vs. Virginia. Can They Get Over the Hump? — The Carolina Football Hour (Oct. 27, 2025)
UNC played another close game Saturday at Kenan Stadium, but again the Tar Heels fell inches short in a 17-16 overtime loss.
›