CanTeen New Zealand

CanTeen New Zealand is an organization supporting young people ages 13-24 living with cancer.

In 1978, at the age of 20, a young man by the name of Michael Carr-Gregg was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his neck.  Together with a group of six young patients living with cancer, he recognized that young cancer patients had special needs that were not being addressed in a hospital environment dominated by either adults or much younger children.

The organization Michael and these 6 young people founded is Canteen.  Years later, in 1985, Michael, together with a young Kiwi cancer survivor named Phillip Townsend, founded CanTeen New Zealand.

Today, CanTeen New Zealand operates in 13 branches throughout New Zealand.  Its mission is “to support develop and empower young people living with cancer through a national peer support network, and professional educational and recreational programmes.”

Members not only include young people ages 13-24 who are living with cancer, but also their siblings and siblings of patients who have succumbed to cancer. Through CanTeen New Zealand, members are given the opportunity to interact with other young people who are going through similar experiences in a relaxed, friendly and fun environment.

Activities include weekends away, support groups, seasonal camps, as well as other recreational and social events.  CanTeen New Zealand also offers a wide variety of programmes, including leadership development workshops, art workshops, and empowering self workshops, among others.

To learn more about CanTeen New Zealand click here.  For information on how to get involved, click here.