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Josh as a baby sitting in hospital bed

Josh's story

I was diagnosed with cancer when I was just toddler. I spent months going through gruelling chemo treatments and surgery, but six exhausting months after my diagnosis I was declared in remission. 


Although the treatment had destroyed my cancer, it also caused a lot of damage to my body. Growing up, I was constantly sick which meant that I had a lot of time off school. People at school thought that I was faking it, and it was distressing that they couldn't understand that I was different.


I joined Canteen pretty much the day I turned twelve years old, as my sisters were already involved before me. It was at Canteen where I met other young people my age who understood what I was going through. Having a space to talk about my journey helped me process the things that I couldn't talk about with my school friends.


Canteen has been in my corner for ten years and has helped me understand that there is still a bright light at the end of the tunnel after a cancer experience.

How your support can make a difference

Thanks to supporters like you, over 1,000 young people could access Canteen’s events, programs, and recreation days in the past year. Canteen’s programs are designed and developed to meet young people where they’re at in their cancer journey – offering encouragement and connection. 

Created with and for young people impacted by cancer, these programs provide opportunities for young people to talk to others with a similar experience and develop strategies to cope. Young people can decide whether they want their support to be recreationally focused, emotionally focused, or a mix of both.  Please show your support today, so they can continue to find the connection and guidance they need to thrive!

"Canteen's programs aim to help young people impacted by cancer meet others who share similar stories. It's about getting them together so they can find that peer support they don't receive from anywhere else. It's fantastic to see their friendships develop." Oli - Canteen Program Officer

Please donate now to help young people impacted by cancer.

 

Will you help young people stand up to cancer?

Founded by a group of cancer patients in 1985, Canteen has been helping young Australians aged 12–25 stand up to cancer for over 30 years. Canteen supports young cancer patients, young people struggling with the grief of losing a loved one, or young people who have a sibling or parent with cancer. 


Please donate today and provide life-changing support to young Aussies impacted by cancer.