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.
Credits
Video
- Written and developed by The AYAs from an initial concept by Samuel Gascoigne
- Director: Thomas Binns
- Producer: Ryan Cook
- Director of Photography: Ryan Cook
- Editor: Thomas Binns
- Behind-the-scenes Footage: Josh Bell
- Illustrations: Liana Galic
- Executive producer: Luke Escombe
- Filmed at the Oncology Day unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane
- Location Supervisor and On-Set Nurse: Vivian Nguyen
- Gear Rental and Consulting: Synctum
- Gear Rental: Red Brick Studio
Puppetry
- YAPS the puppet made, designed, and operated by Emma Bailye
- Puppeteer: Emma Bailye
- Puppeteer’s Assistant: Marcus Heironymus
- Puppetry Consultant: Brett Hansen
- Puppet-making Consultant: Kay Yasugi
- Puppet-making Pack: Katherine Hannaford
Song
- Music and Lyrics by Luke Escombe based on conversations with The AYAs
- Lead Vocals: Liana Galic
- Backing Vocals: Josh Bell
- Backing Vocals: Dawson Sorby
- Piano / Organ: Josh Bell
- Guitars / Bass / Uke: Luke Escombe
- Drums: Evan Mannell
- Producer: Luke Escombe
- Producer: Josh Bell
- Producer: Sean Carey
- Additional Engineering: Tayla Storr
- Additional Engineering: Julia Goyen
- Recorded at various locations in SA and NSW
- Mixed by Sean Carey at Church St Studios, Sydney
The AYAs
- Emma Bailye, Josh Bell, Thomas Binns, Ryan Cook, Liana Galic, Samuel Gascoigne, Doron Losky, Khlya Meighan, Elias Mimidas, Chris Mumby, Dawson Sorby
Special thanks
- Megan Baiocchi, Trent Rosen, Kylie McPaul, Morgan Atkinson, Jarrett Piggott
Funding and logistical support by Canteen Australia
Location kindly provided by:
- Princess Alexandra Hospital Metro South Health
- Division of Cancer Services | Queensland Health
- Doreen Tapsall, Fiona Henderson, Jennifer Robinson
