Dan Carter and Maria Tutaia Want You!

Click to enlarge

Media Release 3rd June 2008

Dan Carter and Maria Tutaia Want You!

Rugby player Dan Carter encourages all Schools in New Zealand to help support young people with cancer by enrolling in the annual CanTeen Bandanna Challenge coming up in October 2008.

As a CanTeen ambassador Carter has generously offered himself as a prize to schools who take part in the Bandanna Challenge.

“After you meet CanTeen members you can’t help but be inspired by them and what CanTeen does to support young people across New Zealand living with cancer. I'm looking forward to taking part in the Bandanna Challenge this year and would love to see all schools sign up to help this awesome cause." says Carter.

The Bandanna Challenge needs Schools to come on board and help sell Bandannas to raise money for CanTeen. CanTeen provides support for young cancer patients, their siblings and bereaved siblings during and after their cancer journey.

Joining Dan Carter in support of CanTeen this year is New Zealand netball star and CanTeen Ambassador Maria Tutaia. Maria has also kindly offered herself as a prize for a lucky school. "CanTeen is a wonderful charity supporting 13-24 year olds living with cancer. Taking part in the Bandanna Challenge is an easy way for Schools to show their support for other young people going through this experience," says Tutaia.

Maria and Dan, as CanTeen Ambassadors, have also both designed bandannas for sale this year.

Visits from Carter and Tutaia are part of a new CanTeen Schools Program, where participating schools have the opportunity to win great prize packages by taking part in the Bandanna Challenge. Last year’s visit by Carter to Sommerville Intermediate in Howick was a phenomenal success and a great reward for the students, with excitement akin to that of Beatlemania!

“With community minded leaders like Dan and Maria on board and support from schools and the public, we hope to raise more funds to support more of the estimated 10-12,000 CanTeen aged people living with cancer in New Zealand. It really is better when you’re not alone!” says CanTeen Brand Manager Jade Philips.

CanTeen was built upon the fundamental belief that young people - through meeting, talking and sharing their experiences - would be better able to cope with the uncertainties of living with cancer. The idea of “It’s better when you’re not alone” is more than just a catch phrase for more than 1,000 CanTeen members across New Zealand.

It’s easy for your school to take part and you could be in to win thousands of dollars in prizes thanks to some of CanTeen’s wonderful sponsors at BP, Pams and Farmers. Dan and Maria urge Parents, Students and Teachers to register your school with Canteen. You can do this simply by emailing the school address and contact details to marketing@canteen.org.nz or by calling 0800 CANTEEN. For more information on CanTeen programs and services check out www.canteen.org.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media