CanTeen was founded in 1988 by a New Zealand cancer survivor studying in Sydney, Australia.
It was his experience of being treated at Wellington Hospital
that inspired Michael to form CanTeen Australia while studying
there.
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 and further, they realized that
isolation from one's peers can have a serious impact on your
ability to cope with diagnosis and treatment.
Not only did young cancer patients need support in their
struggle to survive, they needed to escape the pressures of the
hospital to simply 'be young people.'
Phillip Townsend, a New Zealand teenage cancer survivor, was
visiting Australia when he met Michael Carr-Gregg. After sharing
their experiences and learning about the teenage cancer patient
support group in Australia, Phillip and Michael decided to bring
the concept back home and established CanTeen in New Zealand.
In 1986, CanTeen New Zealand was created to ensure that
no young person living in NZ ever has to deal with cancer
alone.
The organisation was launched with 'Miles for Smiles', a walk
from one end of the country to another to raise funds and awareness
of adolescent cancer. Then in 1996 CanTeen was incorporated as a
society, and registered as a New Zealand charity.
With the support of health professionals, an endorsement from
the Child Cancer Foundation, and the commitment of many volunteers,
CanTeen was successful in establishing a national peer support
network in New Zealand.
Today, CanTeen NZ operates in 13 branches throughout the country
and has grown into a respected and much admired charity.