Canteen Australia Homepage

Five young people walking together, one looking back at the camera

Cancer and relationships

Tips on navigating changes in friendships, your role in the family & dating when cancer comes along

CTA

A young person holding up an LGBTQI+ flag

LGBTQI+ support

LGBTQI+ young people with cancer have unique needs and concerns

Find out more

Cancer Survivorship Program

This free weekend program supports 12-17 year-olds who have finished cancer treatment

Find out more

Free webinar series

New sessions offering practical tools, strategies and resources to help parents navigate cancer

Learn more

Find services, support & information

Cancer changes everything. We get it

For every $1 invested in Canteen programs, a social value of between $4.40 and $7.65 is estimated for the outcome delivered.

$99+

Million in Social Value

Over a 5-year period

24/7

Online Support

In our communities for young people and parents

family of four standing by the ocean watching the sunset

More from Canteen Australia

Culturally Responsive Framework launch

Canteen has proudly launched its Culturally Responsive Framework. This framework is for all Canteen team members and outlines how Canteen will work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people and their families impacted by cancer.

young person using their phone to access canteen connect

Evaluating Canteen Connect

We surveyed young people who use Canteen Connect to understand what was working well and what we could improve.

canteen young people and their families with the living end band

The Living End VIP Experience

On Friday 2 February, Canteen young people and their families impacted by cancer got up close and personal with iconic Australian band The Living End for an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A slice of generosity - Salt Meats & Cheese nourishing our Young People

Recently, Salt Meats & Cheese flung open their doors to our young people by hosting interactive cooking classes.

LOVE canteen bandanna designed by pillow talk

Pillow Talk announced as Principal Partner - Bandanna Day 2023

Canteen is thrilled to appoint Pillow Talk as their 2023 Principal Bandanna Day Partner to help provide comfort to young people impacted by cancer and their families.

Breaking Ground in AYA Cancer Care: 6th Global Congress Announced!

Canteen Australia is pleased to announce the upcoming 6th Global Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Congress, taking place on 3-6 December 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

three young people laughing and having a conversation

Annual Report 2023: A Year of Milestones and Impact

As we wrap up for the year, we're excited to share the remarkable achievements outlined in our Annual Report 2023.

From left to right: Camp Quality CEO Deb Thomas, Mark Butler MP, Cancer Australia CEO Dorothy Keefe, Canteen Australia CEO Peter Orchard, Redkite CEO Monique Keighery

Cancer Hub funding extended

We’re delighted that the Australian Government has today announced $9.4m in funding to enable us to continue delivering this vital service until 2027.

young person with cancer using canteen's robots service in hospital

Australian Cancer Plan

The launch of the new Australian Cancer Plan (the Plan) yesterday is an exciting milestone for cancer care in Australia. This is a once in a generation opportunity to improve experiences and outcomes for people affected by cancer.

group of canteen staff, dogs and studio 10 at bandanna day

Bandanna Day 2023 wrapped

Canteen’s iconic National Bandanna Day has so far raised over $35 million to support young people impacted by cancer.

Communication with parents during cancer and maintaining independence

If you’ve moved into adulthood, you’ve probably already taken on more responsibility and control of your life through significant changes such as moving out of the family home and starting study or work. This growing independence may have shifted your relationship with your parents or carers.

Community Education and Beyond

Canteen offers support and education so that ultimately no one has to go through a cancer experience alone.

When your parent's cancer can't be cured

Hearing the news that your parent might have a limited time to live is going to be very hard for you. That's the understatement of the year.

Researching the benefits of youth leadership at Canteen

Youth Leadership is a big part of what we do at Canteen, and can have a long-lasting impact on people.

Beyond cancer - Survivorship and redefining your life plans

During cancer treatment, you might not have had the time or energy to think about much more than surviving. But when your treatment finally ends, what do you do now?

Cancer’s lost generation

A lot of the work our research and evaluation team do is based on better understanding what it’s like to be a young person with cancer, including the sometimes elusive idea of friendship and connection. How do we measure that?

The hidden increase in youth cancer

Since the 1980s, the overall survival rate for 15-24 year-olds diagnosed with cancer has gradually increased from 79% to 90%.

a group of hands joining together as a team

Can I work while having chemotherapy or other treatments?

Work is an important part of life – and not only for the money. Returning to work can help you to regain your confidence and independence and bring back a “normal” routine that gives you something to focus on other than cancer.

Dealing with the emotional effects of cancer on siblings

Best friends or sworn enemies? Probably both – and it can move from one to the other in just a few seconds. Whatever your relationship with your brother or sister was like before, it’s likely to change – for better or worse – now that cancer has come into your life.

Hilti x Canteen – Building a better future for young people impacted by cancer.

Canteen is excited to announce that Hilti Australia has signed on as a 2024 Major Giving Day Partner to support young people who have had their world turned upside down by cancer.

ABOUT CANTEEN

Canteen supports 12-25 year-olds dealing with their own diagnosis, a close family member’s cancer or the death of a loved one. Our services also now extend to parents, because when they cope better with cancer and communicate openly, their children are likely to experience less distress and anxiety.