CANTEEN NEWS
What’s inside • Meet our amazing youth ambassadors Jess and Lachie • See the life-changing impact your generosity is having on young people living with cancer • Find out about our growing online community and increased demand for online services • A look at the year ahead from our Board and CEO
Message from the Chair of the Board Hi, Happy New Year! Last year, Canteen had to make some quick changes to keep up with the times. As we moved all of our operations into the online space, we quickly saw registrations and interactions on Canteen Connect soar as our young people adjusted to our new digital reality. The silver lining was that we saw our incredible online community thrive with young people all over the country supporting each other through the difficult moments. As we move into 2021, our core purpose at Canteen won’t change. We will continue to do whatever we can to provide high-quality, relevant and evidencebased support for our young people when cancer comes crashing into their lives.
Message from the CEO Hello, I would like to say a huge thank you for your continued support. 2020 was a memorable year for many reasons and an exceptional one in what we achieved together. Our commitment to being in the corner of every young person when cancer crashes into their lives never wavered. The demand for our online services significantly increased during the past year, so we’ve been strengthening the online opportunities for young people to connect with others and feel supported. As we look to the year ahead, we will continue to grow this area of our work, providing greater digital support to young people, no matter where they live in Australia.
We’ll continue to innovate in the online space so we can reach more young people wherever they are in Australia. This year we’ll also extend our efforts around education and careers with a bespoke service supporting young cancer patients returning to study and work after treatment. And we’ll continue to invest in technology to enable young people who are too unwell or vulnerable to go to school to attend virtually, and stay connected with friends, through our ‘robot’ project. As one of our incredibly generous supporters, I’d like to personally thank you for the support you’ve provided to Canteen. None of this would have been possible without the amazing support of people such as yourself. We will continue to do what we can to ensure that every young person that comes to us is supported, developed and empowered. Thank you, Joey Lynch Chair of the Board
In this issue, you’ll hear from one of our amazing young people and Canteen youth ambassador, Jess, who was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer in 2019. Through Canteen, Jess was able to meet other young people facing a similar cancer diagnosis and found a space where she could process what she was going through. Even as Jess continues to face cancer, she has an incredible drive and an outlook of seeing each day as a gift. You’ll also hear from Lachie, another incredible Canteen youth ambassador whose brother was diagnosed with brain cancer at two months old. You can see from Lachie’s story the real impact Canteen Connect has had and the connections he and many other young people have made over the past year in particular. With your help, we can continue to change the lives of young people living with cancer. I can’t thank you enough for your continued generosity and support. Thank you, Peter Orchard Canteen CEO
Meet Jess Canteen youth ambassador and cancer patient, 23 My name is Jess and I’m a Canteen youth ambassador. In 2019, I was diagnosed with stage four Glioblastoma, or more simply brain cancer. I had been experiencing vision and hearing loss and some strange dizziness. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, but it started getting progressively worse. I went to see my doctor, as soon as she heard my symptoms, I was sent straight to hospital for an MRI. After a biopsy and an agonising wait for the results, my surgeon explained to me it was brain cancer. I felt numb and really had no idea what was going to happen. Seeing my family and partner react to the news was the hardest thing. It was truly heart-breaking. It’s why I’m so grateful Canteen came into my life – they’ve helped me process what I’m going through, and I know they help so many others like me. Meeting other young people on my first program was incredible. It was so nice to be around people who understood what I was going through. I was surprised and grateful to hear that Canteen were also supporting my sister Maddie, as she was also dealing with her own challenges that a diagnosis in the family brings.
Jess and her family celebrating Christmas
At Canteen, we’re all quite open about our cancer experience and it’s such an incredible environment to be in. We’re so supported by staff that if we ever have any problems, we can always go to them. Having a terminal diagnosis is an ongoing process. It’s never going to be something that’s finished. Finding this space where everyone has a cancer experience and can understand has been life-changing for me. It means so much to have the support of Canteen and I know that’s only possible because of wonderful people like you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this possible.
Each year in Australia 1,100 young people between the ages of 15 – 25 are diagnosed with cancer. Thank you for helping us to support them, when they need it most.
Introducing the Canteen Connect App Excitingly young Australians can now access all the guidance and support Canteen has to offer from the convenience of their smart phone via the Canteen Connect app. Young people struggling with cancer can: • Chat with other young people who are going through similar experiences • Join fun digital events no matter where they are in Australia • Connect with a counsellor and reach out for support when they need it most, with or without an appointment • Join a discussion and talk about anything from school, inspirational quotes, to managing stress or treatment
Increased online demand Because of your kind support, Canteen has been able to focus our resources on our online support service, Canteen Connect. During 2020, demand for support increased significantly as young people struggling with cancer continued to seek peer support, friendship and professional guidance delivered in a safe, online environment. In a recent study, many young people who had experienced feelings of sadness, worry, and anxiousness report that using Canteen Connect had made these feelings better.
Canteen Connect - during COVID-19
374%
400 350
REGISTRATIONS % increase of new young people registering on Canteen Connect
300 250 200
163%
150
83%
100 50 0
36%
LOGINS % increase of new young people logging in to Canteen Connect INTERACTIONS % increase of posts, likes, comments in Canteen Connect community COUNSELLING % increase of counselling sessions with Canteen Connect counsellors
You made this all possible and we can’t thank you enough 95% of young people found Canteen Connect useful for connecting with young people like themselves. 90% of young people found Canteen Connect useful for chatting with a counsellor. 94% of young people said they felt supported by the Canteen Connect community.
“It’s really easy to access counsellors at any time you need support, and it’s super comforting to know that they’re there specifically to talk to you about your cancer struggles.”
Have you considered investing in the future of young people impacted by cancer? Judy* was a nurse who cared for young people her entire working life. Her passion was to help those who could not help themselves. She lived happily in South Australia, passing away at the age of 92, and had made plans to contribute beyond her own lifetime to the future of young people impacted by cancer. Judy made an incredible commitment and left a gift to Canteen in her Will. Thanks in part to Judy’s gift, we were able to offer young Australians living with cancer the opportunity to attend our Stronger Me program. The program is specifically developed for young people aged 18-25 and aims to teach participants skills to enhance their resilience, wellbeing, success and satisfaction in life. David,* one of the 14 participants who attended the Stronger Me program, shared his feedback;
“It makes you realise you are not alone, and other people share the same fears and worries that you do.”
“It’s nice to know that when I’m feeling lonely or that no one understands what I am going through, I can go onto Canteen Connect and see that others feel just like me.”
“It was really enjoyable and forced me to take some time out and think about myself and how I live my life. I’m incredibly grateful for this program and the experience that came along with it.” The Stronger Me program wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of Judy and others like her. Her wish to help ensure Canteen’s services continue to be available to young people impacted by cancer well into the future is being fulfilled. By leaving a gift to Canteen in your Will, young people in the future can count on our support, when they need it most. For more information, please contact Duncan Knight, our Planned Giving Manager on 0447 678 343 or via email duncan.knight@canteen.org.au or visit canteen.org.au/gifts-in-wills * Name has been changed.
Program Spotlight: SPACE Program With the increased need for online programs, we have introduced a new patient program, SPACE which stands for Surviving, Prospering and Adjusting to the Cancer Experience. The SPACE program provides young cancer patients with much needed connection, even during COVID, through tailored online sessions which take place across three weeks. The SPACE program incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This form of therapy teaches young people to accept what can’t be changed, such as the threat of cancer, dealing with loss and processing the complex feelings that arise throughout the cancer experience. It encourages participants to learn to live with their difficult thoughts and feelings, rather than fighting them. It helps young people engage in positive, valued action, even in the presence of these feelings. The program also brings young people together so they can provide peer support to each other. We know that young cancer patients are often isolated and benefit greatly from meeting other young people facing the same things. The power of connection is irreplaceable.
The program consists of the following three sessions: SESSION 1 Focuses on sharing stories and the emotional impact of cancer, whilst helping participants to learn coping strategies and mindfulness skills. SESSION 2 Focuses on helping young people to have awareness of their difficult thoughts and emotions and learn to accept them instead of fighting them. SESSION 3 Focuses on integrating young peoples cancer experiences, discussing their strengths and talking about their options for support.
Lachie (top right) and his family
Meet Lachie Canteen youth ambassador, 20 My name is Lachie and I’m 20 from Victoria. Cancer has been a part of my whole life. My brother was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma or brain cancer when he was just 2 months old. My family and I have worked our lives around cancer ever since. During my brother’s treatment, my parents were given the unimaginable option to trial a new treatment or to turn off my brother’s life support. If it weren’t for the new treatment option, my brother would not be here. It was a tough time for my family and I was struggling to manage the daily challenges cancer brings. That’s when I found Canteen. Since becoming involved with Canteen in 2014, the impact that being a part of this amazing organisation has had on my life is incredible. I’ve made irreplaceable friends and connected with other young people who were going through a similar experience as me. I will never forget the sessions where we sat together on the first day as strangers and, after laughing, crying and learning we all walked out as friends. I remember feeling so close to people I had never met and felt comfortable to be myself and show my emotions.
Lachie and his family celebrating their Dad’s birthday
Over the past year I have attended several online programs. These have been so important to me during a difficult year. I continued to feel supported and connected to other young people. I would love to thank anyone who has supported Canteen. Your kind support means someone just like me, who is experiencing cancer in my family every day, can join together with others going through a similar experience and feel like they belong. Lachie, (left) with his sister Georgie and brother Charles
What you’ve made possible During 2020, we had more young people reach out for support than ever before. With your generosity, we can continue to be there to help young people when cancer turns their world upside down.
1,438 young people signed up to Canteen Connect for the first time Over 5,000 interactions between young people each month 1,328 spots for young people to attend digital events and programs 18,732 online counselling and individual support sessions
Thanks for reading Canteen News. We would love to hear from you! Please email candofamily@canteen.org.au with any feedback or suggestions for what you would like to see more of in our next issue.
Thank you for changing the lives of young people living with cancer! 1800 639 614
candofamily@canteen.org.au
CanteenAus
CanteenAustralia
canteen_aus
CanteenAus