Bandanna Week is looking for Volunteers

Media Release August 2007
WE NEED YOU!
Bandanna Week is looking for Volunteers
15th - 22nd October 2007

The call is out for volunteers to sell Bandannas and collect donations for CanTeen’s Bandanna Week. (15th – 22nd October). Bandanna Week is the major annual fundraising event for CanTeen, a national peer support network for young people age 13-24 yrs living with cancer.

This year CanTeen is bringing another dimension to Bandanna Week with the CanTeen Million Dollar Challenge which is a call to action that brings together all New Zealanders to support CanTeen by being involved in Bandanna Week.
One way people can become involved is by being a volunteer selling bandannas and collecting donations during Bandanna Week
“We really need volunteers nationwide to come on board and support us during the week by selling Bandana. So if you can spare some time let us know and you can help us raise a million dollars,” says Jade Phillips, CanTeen Brand Manager.

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’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

“Our aim is to make our members aware they are not alone in their cancer journey. CanTeen runs educational and recreational activities and provides a peer support network where members can meet, talk and share their experiences in a fun and positive environment,” says Phillips.

The money raised during Bandanna Week is used to provide services including 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 helps 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). Donations are also put to fund research into the effects of adolescent cancer.

The appeal hits the streets on 15 October and runs until 22 October and CanTeen says they are desperate for volunteers to give their time during this period. People who can volunteer or want to find out further information should contact us on 0800 226 8336 or go to www.canteen.org.nz to find out details of your local CanTeen office.

ENDS

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