Media release
Early Birthday Present for CanTeen
CanTeen, the organisation dedicated to supporting young people living with cancer, has received an early 21st birthday present from Sovereign Sunshine – a $15,000 donation – to fund their educational and recreational programmes nationwide.
CanTeen Brand Manager, Jade Phillips, said this year the organisation will celebrate 21 years of operation in New Zealand and Sovereign Sunshine’s donation would be used to mark the milestone occasion.
“The funds will be used to help 13 – 24 year olds living with cancer – CanTeeners - their siblings, and bereaved siblings via a range of workshops and programmes,” Jade said.
“CanTeen is based on peer support. We believe that the best people to help those that are going through a cancer experience are those who have ‘been there, done that’.”
Jade said CanTeen endeavours to provide an environment where CanTeeners can feel like normal young people and interact with others that are in the ‘same boat’ as them.
“Through our various workshops, which cover grief right through to sexuality and fertility education, or our camps and relaxation weekends, CanTeeners are with people who are just like them. It gives them the opportunity to rid themselves of titles such as ‘the one with cancer’ or ‘the person whose brother or sister has had cancer’.”
Currently CanTeen offers a series of workshops: TeenLink which equips CanTeeners with the skills to communicate with newly diagnosed patients; a Leaders Training Weekend; SAFE which provides sexuality and fertility education, in light of cancer diagnosis and; REAL – workshops that are about dealing with what life ‘throws’ at CanTeeners.
“The workshops, camps and programmes we offer are a great way for CanTeeners to mix and mingle for a day or more with people who know exactly what they’re going through,” Jade said.
Other activities, such as, luging, movie visits, or surfing, are also held throughout the year.
Christchurch-based CanTeen President, Matthew Truman, said CanTeen has helped him discover his potential and develop his leadership qualities.
The 24 year old first heard about CanTeen in 1999 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour which led to his blindness.
“A TeenLink representative visited me while I was in hospital to tell me about CanTeen – ever since then I’ve been an active member of the organisation,” Matthew said.
“When you’re at a CanTeen camp or workshop, you’re amongst people who are just like you – people who are bald and going through treatment. Nobody is hung up about the way they look which is something a patient has to deal with in mainstream society.
“Camps or activities provide a safe environment for CanTeeners to learn and have fun while gaining knowledge and skills to support themselves.
“CanTeen was established to ensure that no young person in New Zealand living with cancer should ever have to feel alone. If we didn’t have the support of programmes like Sovereign Sunshine and that of the public, we wouldn’t be able to achieve our goals and continue helping young New Zealanders,” Matthew said.
Around 170 young people are diagnosed each year with cancer.
The Sovereign Sunshine scheme which is backed by Kiwi actress and mother of two, Greer Robson, helps under-resourced children’s charities by providing them with funding.
Each month the initiative focuses on a different charity group, with members of the public deciding via online voting which charity gets the funding.
Sovereign Marketing Communications Manager, Richard Allen, said Sovereign’s staff enjoy getting behind raising funds for the children’s charities each month.
“Sovereign is working together with the New Zealand public to make the future brighter for as many young New Zealanders as possible. We’re committed to making a difference and invite other New Zealanders to join us by voting online for their favourite charity each month.”
For further information
Christine Meads
P: 09 578 0786
M: 027 294 0823
About CanTeen
- CanTeen was founded in 1985 by a New Zealand cancer survivor studying in Sydney, Australia. The idea for a youth-oriented cancer patient support group emerged from the personal and professional experiences of Michael Carr-Gregg, who, in 1978 at the age of 20, was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his neck.
- Michael’s passion was embraced and developed by a group of six young cancer patients and was supported by a number of health professionals.
- Collectively, they recognised that young people with cancer were being treated in an environment that was dominated by either young children or adults. Furthermore, they realized that isolation from one’s peers can have a serious impact on a person’s ability to cope with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- The organisation was launched in New Zealand with ‘Miles for Smiles’ - a walk across the country aimed at raising funds and awareness of adolescent cancer.
- Today, CanTeen NZ operates in 13 branches throughout the country.
- 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.
- CanTeeners regularly get together throughout New Zealand for summer camps, weekends away, workshops, support groups, and other great social and recreational events. CanTeeners also support each other at home and in hospital.
- To find out more about CanTeen go to, www.canteen.org.nz
21 January 2009
