As a rising sophomore in the UM School of Kinesiology with a focus on pre-medical studies, Lauren reflects on her experience of learning about and participating in AYA-focused psychosocial research with AYA CARE:

“My passion and interest for the fertility field, which started through a previous internship in a fertility clinic, increased throughout this experience, and I have gained an entirely new appreciation of the impact of this research on AYAs with cancer and their futures beyond treatment. Listening to each of the participants' interviews, I find myself learning something new every day with each new participant's perspective.

I was surprised to hear that most of the participants do actively consider their futures in terms of deciding if preserving their fertility is the best option given their future goals. Being in the AYA age group myself, it was especially eye opening to learn about other young people who are going through something so unimaginable to me. With each interview I listened to, I can’t help but think of the similarities between myself and these AYAs.

I am excited to see the conclusions of this study and am hopeful about some of the changes that may come from it. I think this study produced such valuable information for AYAs and providers and I am so incredibly grateful to be a part of it. From the people to the purpose, this year has been so greatly enhanced for me being apart of the AYA Fertility Preservation research and I can’t wait to dive further into the field from here!” – Lauren K. Haller