Patient & Family Partner Program

About Us
The Stanford Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC) represents the voices of the adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors treated at Stanford Medicine, along with their caregivers and family members.  The PFAC’s goal is to create an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) community within Stanford Medicine to help the staff and faculty better understand the unique needs of this cancer population, and through this work, improve the care experience for AYAs and their loved ones at diagnosis, during treatment, and throughout survivorship. 
 

Recent Accomplishments

• Storytelling
  The PFAC continues to partner with the Stanford Health Library and Elephants & Tea to host storytelling events, one of which was held via Zoom in April 2025.  This year, they have created the fifth Stanford Medicine AYA magazine that will be published soon.
  
  To access past issues, click here.
  
  
• Walk with Me
  PFAC members presented their AYA experiences to students enrolled in the class Walk with Me at the Stanford School of Medicine.  Examples of AYA experiences shared included: pediatric to adult care; transitioning from one geographic area to another; and transitioning from one therapy to survivorship.  The shared stories gave medical students valuable insight and education regarding transitions of care.
  
  
• CancerCon
  In August, several PFAC members and twelve Stanford Health Care AYA patients attended Stupid Cancer’s annual CancerCon in Washington, DC. At the conference, they met with other AYA delegations from programs across the country and held discussions on AYA advocacy. 
  
  
• AYA Research
  Dr. Stephanie Smith, a pediatric oncologist at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, regularly attends PFAC meetings to gather feedback from members for her research on working with AYAs. 
  
  
• Community Event
  Several members of the PFAC attended the 19 for Life Bocce Ball Tournament.  19 for Life is a foundation that donates to the Stanford Adolescent & Young Adult program to support ongoing AYA community efforts.