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CanTeen — Helping those with cancer
Originally founded in Australia in 1985, CanTeen was established
in New Zealand in 1986. CanTeen is for anyone between the ages
of 13 and 24 who is living with cancer, be they ‘patient’,
‘sibling’ or ‘bereaved sibling’. The aim is to provide a
relaxed, friendly and fun environment where members can share
their thoughts and feelings with other young people whose lives
have been affected by cancer.
The New Zealand organization was launched with ‘Miles for
Smiles’, a walk from one end of the country to the other, to
raise funds for and awareness of adolescent cancer. Today,
CanTeen operates in 13 regions within New Zealand.
CanTeen does not receive government funding and relies on the
generosity of New Zealanders. There are many ways to donate –
through cash donations, Monthly Giving Club and bequests (see
their website for more information).
The simplest way everybody can support Bandanna Week is by
buying a bandanna!
Jade Phillips, Brand Manager for CanTeen, says, “The money
raised during Bandanna Week is used to provide services
including mobile phones/airtime — so patients can keep in touch
with family and friends – magazines, iPods and laptops to
relieve boredom, and additional staff throughout New Zealand to
help provide this support. CanTeen also helps members through
programmes such as Good Grief, Teenlink and SAFE talk – national
initiatives set up to help members deal with the difficulties of
living with cancer. Donations are also used to fund research
into the effects of adolescent cancer.”
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Roxy
Roxy is the face of CanTeen for Taranaki. In 2004 she
participated in Athletics Day at school. The next day she had a
sore knee and headed off to the doctor.
After many appointments and the diagnosis changing from growing
pains to fluid on the knee, as a lump was forming, the final
diagnosis was osteosacroma (cancer that begins in the
bone-forming cells, most commonly occurring in arm and leg
bones). Her world fell apart.
The next two years of her life blurred past. The majority of
this time was spent in Wellington Hospital getting her treatment
or at Auckland Starship having her operations, only to be broken
by short stints in New Plymouth Hospital on her one out of every
three weeks at home.
“I lost a few friends but the hardest part was friends not
knowing how to treat me. I wanted to be treated ‘normal’. I
hadn’t changed, my cancer had become a part of me. Some of the
time I wanted to avoid my friends and just take time for me,
other times my friends avoided me as they didn’t know how to
communicate with me,” says Roxy.
“My mother and father are separated. They took turn about to
spend time by my bed when I was going through two years of
treatment. My family commitment was huge as my parents took
time off their respective jobs and put in many hours being there
for me. My younger brother had trouble dealing with all the
attention I was getting and the lack of attention for him. He
said, “I wish I had cancer.” Little did he understand what he
was saying.
“One great thing about being sick was on my arrival at
Wellington Hospital I got a huge bag of goodies from
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CanTeen. I heard about CanTeen from the doctors
and nurses and said I would like someone to come and
talk to me. It took the focus off me for a few
minutes and made me feel special. |
“A special friend stood by my side and understood how to react
around me. She even went as far as to shave her long blonde
hair off to support CanTeen. That really meant a lot to me.
“Depending on how I was feeling I told different stories about
my diagnosis. Mostly I told the truth: “I have cancer.” People
recoiled in shock and embarrassment! I learnt to elaborate and
say, “I was attacked by a shark” or something as crazy. People
could accept that and were ready to talk to me.
“With all the attention I got from the cancer diagnosis I now
class myself quite ‘demanding’. I know what I want and I now
make sure that I get it.
“School is really hard at the moment. I basically lost two
years of schooling and now I am trying to do my current year and
those lost years. It makes life busy!
“Each year I get to get up in front of assembly and talk about
CanTeen during Bandanna Week. As long as I am not talking about
myself I am all right. If I had to talk too much about myself I
would get the giggles watching everybody’s reaction.” (She
giggles as she finishes speaking.)
“Cancer will always be a part of my life whether I am in
remission or not. I passed my three-month check and I let out a
sigh of relief. I passed my six-month check and felt I could
stand up straight.
“A big part of my life is CanTeen. Whoever you choose to talk
to is not afraid to talk back to you. We are all in a similar
position – we all want to be ourselves and not a cancer
patient! I now class a lot of the members as my best friends.
“We do monthly fun activities. For October we are going paint
ball shooting. During the year we have approx five main camps.
This winter we went to Mount Ruapehu skiing for the weekend.
There are activities planned for all abilities. Unfortunately
when I got there my knee was so sore I was unable to ski.
“I have been lucky enough to have my Make-A-Wish come true. I
wished I could be on the cover of Dolly Magazine. Unfortunately
this was unable to happen but my second wish to visit the theme
parks in Australia was. I had a wonderful time and will always
have cool memories.”
Leslie
In 2001 Leslie’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia.
“My sister and I were best friends as well as sisters. I didn’t
think twice about being there for her when she was going through
all her treatments. I was in the 7th form and my
time out was doing the ‘normal thing’ – going to school and
being a teenager, otherwise I was at the hospital supporting my
sister.
“The doctors made the mistake of saying, “If you have any
questions – just ask.” Ask away I did. How? Why? What does
that cost? What does that do? How long does that take? – the
questions came thick and fast. It was my way of coping with
what was going on around me.
“My sister struggled on, with both of us going through a bone
marrow transplant. After 11 months of battling she passed
away. It was hard for our family to deal with but wonderful
knowing that CanTeen was there to support us. I went on to
become President for Taranaki. We have a committee meeting once
a month and plan great outings for our group as well as support
our members.
“Many families have a member pass away and they leave CanTeen.
Some members go into remission, class themselves as healthy and
leave the group. For me I enjoyed being with the group and
decided to stay."
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Roxy and Leslie with some of the bandannas |
The major
fundraiser is Bandanna Week 15th
to 22nd October 2007.
Bandanna Week is to raise public awareness of the issues faced
by young people living with cancer. This year Dan Carter,
professional rugby player, is the ambassador and is taking part
in the CanTeen Million Dollar Challenge.
The aim of the CanTeen Million Dollar Challenge is to encourage
New Zealanders to support CanTeen by being involved in Bandanna
Week.
Regions around the country are doing various things to support,
promote and celebrate Bandanna Week including:
The Edge radio station is undertaking a south to north bandanna
drive.
www.theedge.co.nz
TradeMe auctions will run during Bandanna Week
http://www.trademe.co.nz
Charity Auctions.
‘Downacrossup’ is a horse trek circumnavigating New Zealand on
horseback, raising funds while making a documentary series of
their travels. Visit the website for more details
www.downacrossup.com
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If you would like to help during Bandanna Week call 0800
CANTEEN.
CanTeen also has Christmas cards for sale. Members designed the
cards during an art workshop. Businesses can have their
corporate information inserted into the cards ready for
distribution. The cards can be viewed at
www.canteen.org.nz/Organisation/HowYouCanHelp/BuyCanTeenProducts/XmasCards
Are you an Xtra customer? Please vote for CanTeen as your
preferred charity at
www.charityvote.co.nz
to help us receive a share of the Telecom $1 million donation.
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