Last week, at the 6th Global Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Congress in Melbourne, a powerful music video brought the audience to its feet with its unique blend of creativity and emotion. Created by young cancer patients in collaboration with singer-songwriter Luke Escombe and funded by Canteen, the video offers a powerful message of solidarity, resilience, and connection, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by AYAs during their cancer journey.
At the heart of the video is YAPS, a puppet in the role of a young person navigating life through cancer diagnosis, treatment, hair loss and beyond. Conceived by Samuel Gascoigne and brought to life by Emma Bailye, YAPS made this deeply emotional story accessible and relatable. Filmed at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, a place with special meaning for many of the team members, the project was a labour of love and lived experience.
“We wanted to use the power of music to show every young person impacted by cancer that they’re not alone.” – Youth Ambassador, Josh Bell
🎥 Watch the video now and share it to spread its powerful message.
Directed by Thomas Binns, the video also features the vocal talents of Liana Galic and Josh Bell, who performed live at the Congress alongside YAPS. Their performance captivated the audience, celebrating the strength, creativity, and connection that young people discover even in the face of cancer.
For the team behind the project, this was not just a song - it was a way to transform a deeply personal challenge into a universal message: You are not alone.
