Teens Launched Cancer Support Group in Toledo
Young cancer survivors established a dedicated peer support forum at The Victory Center in 2024.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Cancer
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In 2024, local teens established the Teens Against Cancer support group at The Victory Center in Toledo to provide a dedicated space for peer connection. The group serves individuals aged 12 to 20 across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
Why it matters
Many teenagers facing cancer diagnoses experience profound social isolation because they struggle to find age-appropriate peer support. This group was created to bridge that gap by providing a forum where young people can discuss their unique experiences.
The group serves individuals aged 12 to 20, providing a 1.5-hour meeting window for discussions. Founders Rue Hays and Addison Oberhouse, aged 17 and 19 respectively, organized the initiative following their own cancer treatments.
The players
The Victory Center
This facility provides comprehensive support services for cancer patients and survivors across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
Rue Hays
A 17-year-old cancer survivor who co-founded the support group after being diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Addison Oberhouse
A 19-year-old cancer survivor who co-founded the group following her treatment for stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
The details
Meeting at The Victory Center on North Republic Boulevard, the group offers a venue for survivors and patients to share their journeys. The initiative gained momentum as founders navigated their own diagnoses, including B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Timeline
The Teens Against Cancer support group was created in 2024.
Rue Hays was confirmed cancer free in January 2026.
The group meets on the second Saturday of every month from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Big Picture
The formation of this group aligns with the focus of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by highlighting the specific support needs of adolescent patients. This story follows the annual pattern set by the awareness movement by emphasizing the need for specialized teenage peer support.
Teenagers dealing with a cancer diagnosis can access the group to find peers who understand their specific social and medical challenges. This provides a tangible way for local youth to combat isolation through monthly, scheduled interactions at a central facility.
The takeaway
Peer-led support initiatives offer essential emotional benefits for young people navigating long-term medical treatments. Families in the area can encourage participation by marking the second Saturday of each month on their calendars for these sessions.
Further reading
Find more local resources for those affected by a diagnosis in our Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 13abc.
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