No Surrender for young cancer patients

by Dan Leahul, Brand Republic 21-Oct-08, 15:45

LONDON - A new social networking website dedicated to young cancer sufferers has gone live this week as a way of helping patients connect with other people experiencing the same hopes, fears and fight after being diagnosed with cancer.

The website, No Surrender, was launched by Jason Boas after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at age 33 and given less than a year to live, Boas was unable to find a support network for young people going through the same thing he was.

After his initial diagnosis Boas bought a video camera to provide his close friends with an update on his progress, and discovered that over 1500 people around the world were tuning in to watch his video blogs -- many of which were streamed direct from hospital -- on a weekly basis.

Boas created the network to allow users to vent their feelings, upload video blogs, meet friends and chat while offering support, advice and encouragement.

Users can meet other sufferers and discuss the host of new issues and worries unique to young ill people, from dealing with grief of parents and friends, being too exhausted to work or date, the sheer boredom of hospital life and the huge outward physical changes from invasive treatments.

There is also a No Surrender Trust that has held a series of events to raise funds, from golf to football, and a concert featuring appearances from bands including Blood Red Shoes, Mystery Jet and Maximo Park.