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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Canteen young person, Jacob, sits and looks at the camera wearing a bandanna on his arm

Make a tax-deductible donation

Support young people like Jacob with a tax-deductible donation before 30 June.

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Connect with others 24/7

Chat with other young people who get it from the comfort of your couch.

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Grief and Mother's Day

Get some tips on coping with Mother's Day when you are grieving.

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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

a young person who is supporting their friend who's family member has cancer

Supporting a friend who’s family member has cancer

This guide is here to help you understand and support your friend when their family member has cancer.

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.

Community Education and Beyond

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

Dealing with the emotional effects of cancer on the family

Find support and resources for dealing with the emotional effects of cancer on the family. Discover a safe space to navigate this emotional journey together.

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.

a young person trying to support their friend when someone in their family has died

Supporting your friend when someone in their family has died

It's not always easy to be the friend of someone who is grieving - you might feel confused and helpless. This book is here to help you understand that a friend who is grieving is still your friend – and that they will find it helpful to have you there through the ups and downs.

What should I do if I'm diagnosed with cancer?

Have you recently heard the word "cancer" in a consultation? You might be thinking 'what should I do if I'm diagnosed with cancer?' We're here to help.

Coping with cancer when you're trans and gender-diverse

There are a range of steps trans and gender diverse people may take to affirm their gender. There is no right or wrong way to affirm your gender.

How does cancer affect the body?

Everyone experiences confidence and body image issues at some time in their life, particularly as a teenager and young adult. Your cancer experience can change how your body looks, feels and works and can make things even worse.

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.

Growing around your grief

COVID-19 has seen many of us miss out on spending time with our loved ones. Maybe the pandemic has meant not seeing our parents for three months, three years or – in the worst situations – ever again. And as a result, a lot of us are experiencing grief.

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%.

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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