CanTeen launches groundbreaking cancer support system

May 5 2011

For these young people, a parent’s cancer can cause great disruption to routines and relationships and can contribute to immense feelings of anxiety and isolation. CanTeen offers young people dealing with their parent's cancer a powerful dual support system in the form of an innovative Offspring Support Program (being launched in Melbourne on 11 May and Brisbane on 17 May, with plans to go national) and a practical FREE resource book Now What…? Dealing with your parent’s cancer, which may be the only help they receive during this difficult time.

A first of its kind in Australia, the CanTeen Offspring Support Program has been developed courtesy of a $1.5 million grant from nib foundation to provide a range of support services for these young people aged 12 to 24 years. The program will be launching on Wednesday 11th May (Melbourne) and Tuesday 17th May (Brisbane) and you are cordially invited to attend! Please find invitations and RSVP information for both launches attached to this email.

Over the next three years the program will provide support to thousands of Australian youth through the provision of a multifaceted program, such as specialised counselling service (face-to-face, telephone and online/email counselling), information resource/books and practical skills development, respite, recreation and peer support for young people struggling to cope with their parent's cancer.

I was 15 when Dad passed away. For a long time I denied that Dad was gone and thought I could ignore it. Although, there was a big hole inside me that nothing could fill. Deep down I was devastated and didn’t want to continue my life without Dad as he was meant to always be there, to watch me grow up, get married and have a family. I sheltered myself away from the world and didn’t want to deal with anything or anyone. As we had spent all of our time as a family caring for Dad, being caregivers was all we knew, it was difficult to start a new life without him. - Natalie [20]

Well when mum first told us she had cancer, I was a huge emotional wreck. I was only young and didn’t really know what to do. When I went to visit mum for the first time she was just coming out of surgery. I tried not to cry but my sister was so I did. Then after mum was out of hospital, she went back consistently for chemo and then mums hair had started falling out so she shaved it off. This was a huge event as I have never really think of my mum the same since. - Corey [14]

It’s not supposed to happen. You aren’t supposed to have to worry about leaving school early because your Dad is dying from a brain tumour and there is no one to look after your younger sisters.- Ashlea [22]

This Mother’s Day, Now What…? Dealing with your parent’s cancer celebrates its third birthday. It provides age-appropriate information, practical tips and advice across a whole range of areas. Since its release, almost 12,000 FREE copies of the book have been distributed as a vital resource to help young people navigate this challenging experience.

“I really struggled with my mum's cancer. This book has some very useful information, is very helpful and gives some great advice. It actually tells you everything about the cancer, and ways to cope with it. There are even recipes, which came in very handy when mum was sick. My mum is in remission now but if I had it earlier, it would have been a huge help!” – Corey, 14

“After losing a parent to cancer, I sheltered myself away from the world and didn’t want to deal with anything or anyone… I thought I would check it out and see what I could gain from it. I am so glad I did! It is an easy-to-read compact resource that covers every possible area needed to help deal with your parent’s cancer journey… I would tell every young person living with their parent’s cancer, or anyone who knows one, to grab a copy!” - Natalie, 20

In recent years it has been widely acknowledged that for this group, even without the complication of a cancer diagnosis in the family, there is a significant lack of targeted mental health support. CanTeen is working to change this.