Support Canteen This Year and Help Support Those in Need

 CanTeen was established to ensure that no young person in New Zealand living with cancer should ever have to feel alone.

Living with cancer is traumatic at any time, but even more so for young people already facing challenges of identity, independence, education, relationships, intimacy and employment.

The entire cancer experience including transitions from diagnosis, treatment, hospitalisation and remission is likely to threaten adolescent development and challenge the coping strategies of young cancer patients, their siblings, parents and friends. Cancer is no longer a death sentence, but it can mean the start of a long process of treatment and years of uncertainty. Even survivors of childhood cancer may have reminders of their cancer experience to cope with during the complexities of adolescence.












Since its inception, CanTeen has had a clear focus on the needs of young people living with cancer. CanTeen's foundation was built upon the fundamental belief that young people - through meeting, talking and sharing their experiences - would be better able to cope with the uncertainties of living with cancer.

CanTeen believes the best people to support young people living with cancer are those who have 'been there, done that' or are going through similar experiences. Members - consisting of young cancer patients, their siblings and bereaved siblings between the ages of 13-24 come together to form a national peer support network throughout New Zealand.

Nineteen year old CanTeen patient member Haley Thomas shares her cancer experience.

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