Do you know someone who has been impacted by cancer? You may even have a friend or a whānau member who is currently experiencing this difficult journey.
Every year in Aotearoa, around 4,200 rangatahi are diagnosed with or impacted by cancer in some way. Whether by direct experience or by dealing with a diagnosis for someone close to them, for rangatahi, dealing with cancer without extra support can be extremely challenging. At Canteen Aotearoa, we are here to make a difference in the lives of rangatahi and their whānau in ways that work best for the individual and the whanau as a whole.
Behind the cancer support services offered at Canteen Aotearoa, there is a dedicated team of clinical professionals working together to provide access to our life-changing platforms and programmes. Your donations play a significant role in helping us to continue to provide this valuable service to those in need.
How Your Donations Support Rangatahi
We help over 800 rangatahi access our cancer support services and programmes annually, and with your continued support, this number will grow. The work that we do does not receive any direct funding from the government, and we are currently the only national charity organisation in Aotearoa dedicated to offering cancer support services to rangatahi and their whānau.
We work with those aged 12 to 24 impacted by cancer. The cancer support services that we offer are designed to deliver support to fit a range of needs. This includes peer support, individual support, camps and development programmes, and resources and information to help rangatahi deal with specific situations that may come up as they navigate this tricky time.
Overall, our services aim to connect rangatahi, keep them active, and provide a platform for them to deal with their feelings and get a break from dealing with cancer.
Our Cancer Support Services
Peer Support Events
It can be overwhelming to feel like you are facing cancer alone, and sometimes it appears that whānau and friends don’t fully understand what you’re going through. At Canteen Aotearoa, we offer a range of peer support events where rangatahi can connect with each other, share experiences and open up about challenges they are facing.
We also organise face-to-face events for rangatahi, such as bowling, mini-golf and movie nights, so they can enjoy time together and have some fun outside of the stress of everyday life. These regional peer-to-peer events across Aotearoa are held regularly and can help reduce isolation during a stressful time.
Online Events
For those who don’t want to wait or struggle to attend an in-person event, we run regular online events to help rangatahi connect across the country. They can join in from the comfort of their own home and enjoy an evening of baking, book clubs, game nights, and crafting sessions.
Learn more about our upcoming events.
Individual Support
We also offer individual support and therapy sessions where rangatahi can talk to someone from our Clinical Team. This might include navigating changing relationships, how to manage school or work alongside cancer, or finding ways to cope with a life that looks different than expected. These free cancer support services are available online or in person, and are completely confidential.
Rangatahi Development
Dealing with a cancer diagnosis can be disruptive to education or career development, and we are here to help rangatahi get their life back on track. With a range of programmes available, we support rangatahi to gain social, development and leadership skills so they can continue to grow and thrive in their lives. We also offer a safe space where they can discuss their options with a qualified career advisor. This support and guidance enables rangatahi to make informed decisions about their future in a supportive environment.
Online Support
Living in a technologically advanced world has many advantages, one of which is being able to connect with others 24/7, no matter where you are. Canteen Connect is our free online platform where rangatahi are able to check in on each other, keep track of upcoming events, or talk to a counsellor.
Make a Difference Now
You can make a real difference in the lives of rangatahi and their whānau. We need your support to continue to provide positive life-changing services to rangatahi impacted by cancer.
If you are ready to help, you can make a donation now, or you can get in touch with our friendly team today if you want to learn more about the services provided by Canteen Aotearoa.
