13 September 2018

“CanTeen has just turned 30 and we are acknowledging this huge milestone in true CanTeen style,” says President Lucy Coombes.

CanTeen staff and volunteers will be hitting the streets of New Zealand this Friday and over the weekend to raise some much-needed funds to support young people living with cancer. With no Government funding, the appeal is vital to fund local services.

“I think it’s pretty safe to say that when you’re a teenager or a young adult you’re not expecting to come face to face with cancer. But it is the reality for the more than 1,900 young people that are part of CanTeen New Zealand.

“It’s hard in a hundred different ways, and that’s where CanTeen comes in,” continues Lucy whose brother passed away when she was 18.

“Our services are provided free of charge, to ensure they are accessible to every young person living with cancer. We have 14 branches across the country, and we’re trying to reach every young person, in every community. Our street appeal is a chance to see exactly where your donations are going and the change they make to young people’s lives,” adds Lucy.

“We’re the only organisation supporting 13-24 year olds living with cancer in their family and we are solely reliant on our own fundraising efforts and the generosity of individuals, our corporate partners and the community.”

As well as street donations, CanTeen has just released a limited-edition bandanna called ‘The Cycle’. It is the creation of 20-year old Zaynah who drew her inspiration from losing her mother when she was 13.

“Like lots of our members, Zaynah has drawn on a really hard part of her life and used it to make something beautiful. So please buy her design and show your support for CanTeen and the young people it supports,” concludes Lucy.

Bandannas are available online (www.canteen.govt.nz),

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