How Your Support Helps

You're making a difference

Canteen Leader Abby was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in her spine. She has been in remission and cancer free for nearly a decade, but Abby still feels the effects of her treatment and is learning to deal with the feelings cancer experiences can bring.

“To this day I still can’t do a lot of things that I used to, like certain types of sports and dance, as I don’t have as much movement as I used to."

Abby was able to find support in Canteen - as a place she felt accepted to be herself.

“Canteen changed my life for the better. Since I joined Canteen I have never felt like the outsider or the ‘cancer kid’. I have always felt accepted and have actually found myself.”

Why bandannas?

Over 35 years ago, the founding members of Canteen chose bandannas as a powerful symbol to represent the profound impact that cancer has on the lives of rangatahi in Aotearoa. Over the years, the bandanna has also transformed into an iconic and memorable symbol of Canteen and our vital work. Our bandannas, initially chosen by rangatahi, have been designed by rangatahi, ambassadors and partners, for our members and supporters alike, representing the ethos that guides Canteen's work. We are a member-led organisation, and our bandannas are a physical representation of this.

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