Cancer Took My Voice
Saskia was just 17 when she was diagnosed with a rare form of oral cancer, an experience that left her facing surgeries, the loss of her ability to eat and speak normally, and profound isolation. Friends drifted away, her confidence dropped, and Saskia didn’t believe she deserved help because she didn’t "look" like a typical cancer patient.
Her mother encouraged her to reach out to Canteen. Through one-on-one counselling, Saskia was able to untangle complex emotions of anger, guilt, and grief, and Canteen helped her realise that her experience was valid and deserving of support.
Canteen became a turning point in Saskia’s recovery, offering her not only counselling, but community and hope. With Canteen’s support, Saskia found the courage to return to university to study nursing, determined to help others. While her healing journey continues, Saskia says Canteen gave her back her spark, her voice, and her belief in a life beyond cancer
Thanks to Canteen's generous supporters, she is getting her life back!
Give young people facing cancer the support they deserve
Cancer is turning young lives upside down - isolating them and leaving many to cope alone. We help young Aussies and their families navigate the challenges of cancer in a world turned upside down.
Right now, 1,300 young Aussies like Saskia are facing the unimaginable. They need Canteen, and they need you. Canteen is trying to raise $549,182 before the June 30 tax deadline to provide free, individualised services to young people facing cancer.
Your Support is Life-Changing
Thanks to our generous supporters, in the last year we've been able to provide life-changing support to young people like Saskia.
5,000
Young people and parents supported with life-changing assistance through counselling, programs, youth leadership and more.
4,568
Counselling and support sessions provided to help young people navigate the cancer journey.
75,000
People reached in the wider community via our education programs and free resources.
Canteen's Individual Support Model
Canteen understands that everyone’s cancer journey is different, and perhaps the most important lesson of all is that cancer brings unique needs and challenges. That’s why Canteen developed our INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT MODEL - so each young person receives the support that fits them best.
To do this, we:
- LISTEN to our young people
- ASSESS each young person and what they’re struggling with
- PLAN what their unique care looks like
- IMPLEMENT their unique care plan
- SUPPORT when they need us
Your generous donation will give Canteen the resources needed to deliver individual support, so young people like Saskia can benefit from the care they need to overcome the everyday challenges of cancer.
Support Canteen and change lives
Your support means Canteen can help young people like Saskia live life to the fullest