Youth week canteen fundraiser

While most young people face a variety of challenges and issues in adolescence, suffering from cancer or having a close family member struggle with the disease makes life even more difficult.

CanTeen, an Australian organisation supporting young people with cancer, will be marking Youth Week next week with a fundraiser for young people struggling with cancer.

“Although many people remember their youth as being fun and carefree, it is important to remember that it can be a difficult and confusing time,” CanTeen division manager Michelle Blohm said.

“Being diagnosed with cancer, or a family member being diagnosed, raises a whole additional set of emotional, physical and practical issues that anyone, regardless of age, would find extremely challenging.”

One local retailer supporting CanTeen is Robert Barnhill, owner of the Good Guys at Warrawong.

The store donates 20 cents from every transaction to community organisations and charities. Since November 2006 the store has raised nearly $5000 for CanTeen alone, and nearly $15,000 overall.

Good Guys customers are encouraged to make an in-store donation to CanTeen during Youth Week, with tax deductible receipts available for donations over $2.

CanTeen provides psychological and social support services, camps, recreation days, and support networks for young people with cancer or who have experienced it in their immediate family.