I lost my teen years entirely to cancer. My dad was diagnosed with stage four cancer just a couple months after I turned 13. I spent most of that year with my dad. In the hospital after school and on weekends. At home, I took care of him, made his breakfast and brought juice or dessert when he felt up for it.
I can’t lie to you. It was honestly really, really hard. My friends would all hang out on school holidays, and I’d go with my dad to his chemotherapy appointments.
I felt sad, of course, but I also felt out of place, and very lonely. My friends just didn’t understand what I was going through, you know?
One thing that did help me during those hard days, was talking to someone from Canteen. Canteen counsellors are specially trained in grief and loss counselling. They help you to talk about and process what you’re going through.
I’m so grateful that, because of loyal and kind donors like you, I can speak to a counsellor for free, whenever I need to.
The other thing I love about Canteen is connecting with other young people who have a cancer experience like me.
I remember the sense of relief I felt the first time I met someone else who had a cancer experience. There wasn’t any need to even talk about cancer. There was just an instant connection knowing you’ve both been through something extremely difficult. They understood me without having to explain any further.
I know I would be a very different person without Canteen in my life. I would be closed off and unable to talk about what’s happened to me. I wouldn’t know that I can continue to enjoy my life even though my dad has passed.
That is an incredible gift you have given me!
Thank you so much,
Chloe
Canteen youth ambassador