Your donation helps support young people facing cancer
Canteen supports young cancer patients, young people grieving the loss of a loved one young people who have a sibling or parent with cancer. Founded by a group of cancer patients in 1985, Canteen has been helping young Australians aged 12–25 to find life in the face of cancer for almost 40 years.
Why your donation matters
Cancer’s impact goes beyond the physical, affecting young people's social, psychological, and developmental lives. In fact, young people impacted by cancer are up to six times more likely to face mental health issues like anxiety or depression than their peers.
Your donation enables Canteen to provide life-changing support for young people when cancer turns their world upside down. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we can continue offering free, tailored services that help young people find life in the face of cancer. Our evidence-based programs and services address the mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing of young people, whether they’re dealing with their own diagnosis or that of a loved one. After just six months of support from Canteen, almost two- thirds of young people report improvements in their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Frequently asked questions
Why make a tax-deductible donation to Canteen? Canteen prevents long-term societal impacts of cancer by addressing issues like isolation and untreated trauma. We believe that every young person deserves access to life-changing cancer support. With your help, Canteen can improve our services, expand them, and reach more young people than ever before. Young people can discover treatments, support, and new experiences on the flipside of the hard ones, and find life in the face of cancer.
Where does my donation go and why does Canteen’s work matter? Cancer affects everyone differently, which means your donations support a range of tailored programs and services to suit different cancer experiences. By making a donation to Canteen today, you are ensuring young people’s specific needs are being met, whether this is providing practical and emotional support to them explore their feelings about cancer, providing connection with other young people or - if they’ve been diagnosed themselves - by providing youth-specific treatment teams. Canteen prevents long-term societal impacts by addressing issues like isolation and untreated trauma by fostering a sense of community, leadership, and personal growth, helping them shape their futures in the face of adversity. Read more about the wide range of free support services Canteen offers
Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes! Donations of $2 or more are considered tax deductible donations because Canteen Australia is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). There is no limit to how much you can claim, however, there is a limit to how much of a donation you can claim in a financial year. Tax-deductible donations must be ‘genuine’, meaning that you cannot receive any benefit from the donation. For more information about tax deductible donations, click here.
Can I make a recurring donation? Yes! Monthly giving is the best way to help us ensure no young Australian has to face cancer alone as this provides a predictable and stable income stream, allowing us to effectively plan ahead. Each day our support services reach thousands of young Aussies like Georgia, and that’s only possible because of the continuous support of caring people like you. Simply select ‘give monthly’ on the form at the top of this page.
Can companies and organisations donate? Just as individuals can claim donations as a tax deduction, businesses can claim gifts to charity as well – as long as it is a cash donation and the charity is a deductible gift recipient (which Canteen is). For information on partnering with Canteen as an organisation, please click here
How else can I support? There are so many ways to get involved with Canteen and help young people overcome the immense challenges of cancer. However you choose to support, you will be providing life-changing support to young Aussies impacted by cancer. Here’s a few ideas to get started:
- Fundraise in whatever way you can or sell Canteen bandannas in your community.
- Partner with us as an organisation, as a philanthropist, by leaving a gift in your Will, or by donating your time.
Can I donate another way or learn more? If you’d prefer to donate over the phone or would like more information, our Supporter Care Team is ready to help. Based in Sydney, they’re available 9am-5pm AEST Monday to Friday on 1800 639 614 or candofamily@canteen.org.au