The LFSA Youth Program was designed to help young people with LFS live their lives to the fullest and stay connected with one another. We’ve created this page in hopes that you will find value and help in achieving your own goals to grow and thrive.
The LFSA Youth Program provides support to teens and young adults with LFS (ages 13-25) by giving them opportunities to learn more about the condition from experts in the field in fun, engaging, and positive ways such as Youth Workshops, webinars, and quarterly Youth Newsletters. Very importantly, the Youth Program facilitates friendships between young adults living with LFS, creating a great support network amongst those who truly understand!
Meet Your Youth Program Co-chairs
Hi, everyone!
My name is Isabel, and I live in Brasília, the capital of Brazil, with my family. I’m a lawyer specializing in Health Law. I was diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome in 2017 when I had breast cancer in my twenties. I was fortunate to receive the LFS diagnosis from a kind and supportive doctor, which sparked my journey to learn more and seek support—leading me to the LFS Association.
In 2019, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Youth Workshop in Boston for the first time. It was a life-changing experience for me. I got to see the amazing work of LFSA up close and made lasting friendships with other young people at the event. It gave me hope and reassured me that I’m not alone.
Since then, I’ve been committed to offering support, sharing information, and raising awareness for those with LFS, as well as their families and friends. I know that dealing with cancer and Li-Fraumeni can be tough; we need to stay resilient every day.
My goal is to help you feel as empowered and hopeful as I do and to work towards a world with better information. Knowledge is power, and we want you to be part of the LFSA family!
If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re stronger together. You’re not alone!
e-mail: icosta@lfsassociation.org
Instagram: @lfsabrasil and @belcosta
Bonjour!
My name is Bárbara Almeida and I am originally from Brasília, Brazil, where I work as a lawyer. I moved to Paris in 2022, where I currently work as a paralegal.
In early 2021, I was diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni syndrome and, following medical recommendations, chose to undergo preventive mastectomy. During this process, I realized that the topic is still a major taboo, which made it difficult to find other women who had undergone the same procedure to share experiences. After this journey, I decided that I wanted to be a reference for other women in similar situations.
It was at that moment that I joined the LFS Association where I found incredible people who became my chosen family. This space provided me with understanding, support, and care beyond what I could have imagined.
I can be reached at balmeida@lfsassociation.org.
“I realized that I’m not alone and, more than this, I feel inspired by every teen and young adult. I can see myself in them and I see that they have fears and concerns just like me… I could see that I’m not the only one who lives with these questions, this inspires me to fight and to live one day at a time.”
~Youth Program Member
What is it like as a youth with LFS?
LFSA Latin America Youth Co-Chair Isabel Costa shares her story.
LFSA Youth Newsletter
Past Newsletter Editions
SPRING 2023 ISSUE – Meet Dr. Renata Sandoval and Claudia Boudreaul
Português • Français
SUMMER 2022 ISSUE – Meet Yasmin Shaaban, LFSA Latin America Co-chair, and Dilshaad Ahmed
Português
WINTER 2022 ISSUE – Meet Samuel Omolo, LFSA Africa Chapter Chair, and Chiky Fernandez!
Português
FALL 2021 ISSUE – Meet Camella Rising, NCI Researcher & Registered Dietician, and Anna Joy Ryan!
SPRING 2021 ISSUE – LFS Awareness Month & Meet Lamia Alsubie, LFSA Saudi Arabia Chair
WINTER 2021 ISSUE – Meet five members of Dr. Schiffman’s Lab
Português • Español
FALL 2020 ISSUE – 2020 Youth Workshop Highlights & Meet Dr. Mary-Louise Greer
SUMMER/FALL 2019 ISSUE – Meet Dr. Kim Nichols!
WINTER 2019 ISSUE – Healthy eating tips while on the go!
Past Virtual Events
Watch and join in on Zentangle!
Michele Rieder, Instructor from the Hirsch Wellness Network, and the LFSA Youth present Zentangle, an art activity that provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being. Learn more about Zentangle!
Youth Connect is a virtual event for teen and young adult participants ages 13 to 21 to be able to learn from and engage with experts in the LFS field and connect with other LFS youth to foster friendship and support.
“Nutrition: A Pillar of Health”
If you have questions for Camella Rising, you may contact her at camella.rising@nih.gov. Find Helpful Links by Downloading Camella’s Presentation Here.
“Stress & Coping with LFS”
Session I: 13-18 Years Old
Session II: 18-25 Years Old
Event Gallery
