CanTeen is the New Zealand organisation supporting young people living with cancer.
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.
CanTeen is for anyone between the ages of 13 and 24 who is
living with cancer. We aim to provide a relaxed, friendly and fun
environment where you can share your thoughts and feelings with
other young people whose lives have been affected by cancer.
It can be really difficult coping with cancer, especially if you
feel alone. CanTeen offers opportunities to interact with
other young people going through similar experiences. That
means there's always someone on hand to offer advice,
encouragement, and even a little inspiration that would be hard to
find elsewhere.
Our Mission is to Support, Develop and Empower young people
living with cancer. One of the ways we do this is with our
recreational and educational National Programmes.
Featured content from
Our Programmes
Our Programmes
click for more...CanTeeners regularly get together throughout New Zealand for
seasonal camps, weekends away, workshops, support groups, and other
great social and recreational events. CanTeeners also support
each other at home and in hospital.
Having a brother or sister living with cancer can also be hard.
Losing one can be even harder. At CanTeen our belief is that no
young person should have to face cancer alone, so we offer support
not only to those diagnosed with cancer, but to their brothers and
sisters also.