Canteen Australia | Cancer Support For Young People

Canteen support changes lives

Canteen provides life-changing support that gets young people through a world turned upside down by cancer.

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Grief and Mother's Day

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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

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More from Canteen Australia

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.

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 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.

Screenshots from Canteen's TikTok videos

Canteen Australia now on TikTok!

We're thrilled to announce that Canteen Australia is now on TikTok! This marks a significant milestone for us as we continue our mission to support young people when cancer turns their world upside down.

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.

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.

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%.

It takes a village: Canteen in the community

In the eight and a half years I’ve worked at Canteen, I’ve been continuously amazed at the incredible generosity our community shows us each and every day.

group of young people, staff and volunteers at the Canteen Australia Winter Retreat in Thredbo

Winter Retreat 2023: A journey of firsts and unforgettable moments

Our Winter Retreat was filled with exciting activities, including ski and snowboard lessons, and the picturesque Thredbo ski resort provided the perfect backdrop for our adventure.

Talking about cancer

Cancer can be a tough topic to talk about. You may have lots of questions but you’re not sure how to ask your parent.

Leading and collaborating for change

Canteen has grown its scope of work over the past 36 years and we can be proud of so much, not least the way we have been able to successfully advocate and lobby for better outcomes for young people impacted by cancer.

Help for dealing with cancer emotionally

Dealing with cancer can evoke a wide range of emotions. It may be tough to pinpoint what you are feeling and why, but Canteen is here to assist you.

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.

How to be a student with cancer

Many young people who have been through cancer treatment feel it’s important to go back to school or study as soon as possible. But if you have been away for a long time, it’s normal to feel nervous as well as excited about going back to school.

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.

A different tomorrow – life after cancer

When we think about youth cancer, the focus is often on the number of young people diagnosed (around 1,000 a year) and their medical treatment. It is incredibly important that young cancer patients get specialist, age-appropriate care.

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.

NAIDOC Week – for me, it’s personal

Each year when NAIDOC Week rolls around (4-11 July this year) I start to feel more and more a shift in the way we mark and celebrate this week. This year it’s special to me as we move a bit further along in our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan at Canteen.

What is treatment like as a cancer patient in hospital?

Depending on what type of treatment you need to have, how much and how often, you may have to spend a lot of time at a hospital.

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.

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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