CanTeen's annual appeal - Bandanna Week

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Media Release September 2006

CanTeen's annual appeal - Bandanna Week

16th - 22nd October 2006

Bandanna Week is the major fundraising event for CanTeen, a national peer support network for young people age 13-24 yrs living with cancer.

The bandanna became a symbol for CanTeen because many young people choose to wear them after losing their hair as a side effect to cancer treatments.

This year CanTeen has added a number of new designs and colours to the range. At only $4 they are a fashion steal and you are supporting a worthy cause – bonus! Bandannas can be worn in a variety of ways, not just on your head! You can tie them round your wrist and neck, or use them as a belt on your jeans. Alternatively you can text CANTEEN to 883 to make a $3 donation.

Using Ministry of Health Statistics, CanTeen estimates there are currently 12,500 young people up to the age of 24 living with cancer, either as a patient or sibling. Living with cancer is traumatic at any time, but even more so for young people that are already facing challenges of identity, independence, education, relationships, intimacy and employment.

CanTeen believes the best people to support young people living with cancer are their peers - those who ‘have been there done that’ or are going through similar experiences.

“Since its inception, CanTeen has had a clear focus on the needs of young people living with cancer. CanTeen’s foundation 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,” says Kylie Gallagher, Marketing Manager CanTeen.

Vice president of CanTeen Matt Truman was diagnosed in his early teens with a Brain Tumour, and through surgery and chemo treatment has lost his eyesight and is now legally blind. Despite this, he has become an inspirational leader within CanTeen nationally and is also completing a business degree at Canterbury University.

“CanTeen was there throughout the whole of my treatment and the hard times afterwards. It gave me an opportunity to talk to others about my experience, to share the side effects, to be normal and to talk about the future. CanTeen provided an environment where I was accepted, where I did not need to talk about what I had been through in order to get people to understand. I won the scar meeting by the way; it is hard to go past holes in your head!!”

By supporting Bandanna Week you are helping CanTeen provide the following services; mobile phones/airtime so patients can keep in touch with family and friends, magazines, iPod’s and laptops to relieve boredom and additional staff throughout NZ to help provide this support. CanTeen also supports members through programs such as Good Grief, Teenlink and SAFE Talk (national initiatives set up to help members deal with the difficulties of living with cancer).

The money raised during Bandanna Week is also used to fund research into the effects of adolescent cancer, as well as contributing to the 3 dedicated Adolescent Oncology nurses in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Bandanna Week 16–22 October

Show your support your way buy a Bandanna at local retailers or

txt CANTEEN to 883 to donate $3

Bandannas are available through Foodstuffs Stores: Pak n Save, New World, and Four Squares, BP, Burger King, Briscoes, Rebel Sports, Local Schools, Street sellers and Shopping Malls.

ENDS

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