Canteen Australia | Cancer Support For Young People

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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

More from Canteen Australia

members of the canteen reconciliation Young Adult Reconciliation Network

Canteen’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan Final Report

Canteen is proud to share the final report from our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), marking the next step in our reconciliation journey.

4 young people who are involved with canteen's youth cancer services

Reflecting on a year of growth, support and impact: Canteen Australia’s Annual Report

Read our 2025 Annual Report and discover the impact of your support - helping young people facing cancer through counselling, connection and tailored programs.

image from a canteen event featuring young people

What a Year! Celebrating the Highlights of 2024

2024 was a big year at Canteen - read about all the highlights from the range of programs and events that went down!

a picture a YAPS, a puppet which plays the role of a young person navigating cancer

You Are Not Alone: Patient Storytelling Through Song

Watch the music video made in collaboration between young cancer patients and Luke Escombe about the challenges that cancer brings to young lives.

3 young people who received cancer care from Canteen Australia

Canteen responds to warning of the human crisis in cancer care

Canteen backs the new Lancet Oncology Commission calling for compassionate cancer care, including robust psychosocial support for young people.

group image of the people who attended the hawkesbury cultural immersion program

Connecting with Culture, Country and Community on a Canteen Program

Read about the latest Canteen program which took place at beautiful Deerubbin (Hawkesbury River) in Dharug Country.

Victorian Camp Program – April 2024

19 young people impacted by cancer attended our recent camp program on the Mornington Peninsula.

Canteen calls for expanded access to personalised treatment

A critical gap in Australia’s cancer care system is leaving adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer aged 19-25 without access to potentially life-saving personalised medicine.

Young cancer patients' access to gold standard care secured

Young people diagnosed with cancer will continue getting access to gold standard care through the Youth Cancer Services thanks to the $24.5M in funding announced in the Federal Budget last night.

a group of young men who are from a range of cultural backgrounds

Translated Cancer Resources

The Living with Cancer resource is now available in six additional languages, making this resource in cancer navigation more accessible for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

health minister mark bulter speaking at the August 2024 cancer hub funding annoucement

The Next Chapter for Cancer Hub

Read the exciting news detailing the additional government funding which was granted to the Cancer Hub service.

Delta goodrem with 3 canteen youth ambassadors

Delta meets Canteen Youth Ambassadors

Watch our video feature on how Delta Goodrem met with some of our inspiring Youth Ambassadors.

Schools Burst with Colour for Bandanna Day

Read about the amazing fundrasing efforts of Chapel Hill State School as they raised over $3000 for young people impacted by cancer

Highlights from the 2025 National Youth Cancer Consumer Forum

In July, Canteen brought together 83 young cancer patients and survivors for the fourth annual National Youth Cancer Consumer Forum. Read about what took place!

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.

A group of Canteen youth ambassadors at Life Cycle in WA

Life Cycle 25 Year Anniversary

Relive the key moments from Life Cycle's 25 anniversary weekend in Western Australia. 3 days and 150 riders, all to support young people impacted by cancer.

Image of Pillow Talk Makeover in Counselling Rooms

Canteen x Pillow Talk - Providing Comfort and Hope

Read about Canteen‘s partnership with Pillow Talk, who have made a commitment to providing comfort and support to our counselling spaces across Australia

Canteen Australia Appoints New CEO

Canteen are excited to share the news that Siona Hardy has been announced as the new CEO of Canteen.

Double Day Appeal Raises Over $109,000

In August 2025, Canteen ran a Double Day campaign, which saw Canteen raise more than $109,000, which equates to over 950 counselling sessions for young people impacted by cancer.

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.

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.

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