YSC Summit Registration Opens

    NEW YORK, NY, October 18, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- More than 250,000 women living in the U.S. today were diagnosed with breast cancer before their 41st birthday. Approximately 13,000 young women will be diagnosed this year alone. Young Survival Coalition (YSC), the premier organization dedicated to young women affected by breast cancer, is bringing them together for the second annual YSC Summit, March 11-13, 2016, in Atlanta, Ga.

As the only national conference for young women and their co-survivors (spouses, partners, family and friends), the YSC Summit inspires and connects young women facing breast cancer. The emotional and medical concerns of young breast cancer survivors are different than those of women over age 40, which is why a conference like the YSC Summit is so important.

This three-day conference features "TED Talk"-style general sessions with inspirational speakers, educational and psychosocial workshops and wellness activities addressing the unique issues that young women with breast cancer face. Participants will have access to the most current, evidence-based information to make decisions about their healthcare. A key component is the opportunity to network with a community of other young survivors and co-survivors from across the country.

"The energy at the YSC Summit is amazing. The conference provides an incredible opportunity for connecting and learning in a fun environment. For some, it is the first time they have met another young survivor in person," remarked Jennifer Merschdorf, Chief Executive Officer of Young Survival Coalition, herself diagnosed at age 36. "Young women affected by breast cancer and their co-survivors leave feeling empowered and connected to this incredible community of people who can relate to each other."

Registration opens today at summit.youngsurvival.org

The YSC Summit will be March 11-13, 2016 at the Downtown Sheraton Atlanta. The registration fee is $145 per person until January 4, 2016, and then $160 until March 10. Fee waivers and travel grants are available to those who qualify, and fundraising options are available to offset expenses.

Conference speakers include sex and intimacy experts Sabitha Pillai-Friedman, PhD, and Barbara Musser. The medical updates session will include panelists Pat Steeg, Deputy Chief of the Women's Malignancies Branch in the Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute; Dr. Nikhil Wagle of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Dr. Kimberly Curseen of the Emory University Winship Cancer Center. The conference will also feature a cooking demo from Ann Ogden, author and founder of Cook for Your Life.

The conference includes workshop sessions for newly diagnosed and those finished with treatment. There are also special tracks for co-survivors and for young women living with metastatic breast cancer. Workshops led by healthcare professionals will focus on topics such as dating, fertility and family planning, parenting, re-inventing yourself after breast cancer, communication practices, ways to implement healthy lifestyle changes, creating a legacy and coping strategies for co-survivors. Social and wellness activities include a poolside cocktail reception, Hot-Ianta Dance Party, Men-Only Hangout, PJ party hosted by Babeland, yoga, Zumba and CrossFit from Barbells for Boobs.

Video highlights from the 2015 Summit can be found here.

For complete registration details, schedule of workshops and speakers, please visit summit.youngsurvival.org or call 877.972.1011.

This conference is generously supported by presenting sponsors Avon Foundation for Women and Eisai.

About Young Survival Coalition (YSC)
Established in 1998, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier organization dedicated to young women with breast cancer. Founded by three young survivors, YSC began as a grassroots organization to advocate on behalf of all young women diagnosed with breast cancer to increase their length and quality of life. Based in New York City, with networks nationwide, YSC provides free resources, connections and educational materials so young women with breast cancer feel supported, empowered and hopeful. YSC seeks to educate and influence the medical, research and legislative communities to address breast cancer in young women, and to ensure that no young woman faces breast cancer alone. For more information, visit youngsurvival.org.

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