The Journey

This April, Arthur Bookstein, MPH—a Keck School of Medicine of USC student and Fulbright Fellow—will cycle 3,000 km across Japan in 40 days. His goal is to raise $10,000+ for the AYA@USC program, supporting young adults (ages 18–39) facing cancer. Arthur is a half-Japanese physician-in-training and endurance fundraiser who recently matched into Internal Medicine-Pediatrics at Tulane University. With a background in cancer epidemiology and past cross-country rides, he is dedicated to advancing culturally informed care and advocacy for the AYA community.

The Mission: AYA@USC

Each year, about 89,000 young people ages 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer, accounting for 5% of cancer diagnoses in the United States. Housed under the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, the AYA@USC Program was established in 2013 to address the profound "gap in care" faced by these adolescents and young adults (AYA), who often find themselves in a clinical "no-man's land," between pediatric and adult oncology settings. At a stage in life often defined by independence, career-building, and relationships, a cancer diagnosis can be especially isolating for these young adults. AYA@USC Program provides young adult cancer patients and survivors with comprehensive, compassionate, personalized care, such as specialized navigation and fertility preservation, and vital resources to manage emotional, social, physical, spiritual, and financial issues related to surviving cancer. AYA@USC also bridges this gap through curated programming, retreats, and interactive workshops, such as an annual getaway retreat, Family Zootopia, monthly online support groups, educational seminars, a wide range of in-person self-expression workshops in music, art, writing, as well as sports and wellness themed community events. It has supported thousands of young adults and family members in Southern California and beyond on a yearly basis.

Your Impact

Every donation directly funds the AYA@USC program that provides comfort, connection, and resilience for young adults with cancer treated at USC and beyond.

Follow the Journey and Explore the Full Route Map Here