Canteen

In the 2026 Dry July campaign, you helped Canteen raise an incredible $50,915, which will help provide free specialist counselling to young Australians impacted by cancer.

Young people will be able to access specialist counsellors who understand the unique challenges of dealing with their own cancer diagnosis or the cancer of a parent or sibling. This support will help young people manage distress, build resilience and stay connected to school, work, family and friends during an incredibly difficult time.

"Dry July is a wonderful reminder that giving something up for a month can give so much back to yourself and others.

Going alcohol-free is a chance to reset and reflect on your own wellbeing. But that same month off also supports the wellbeing of young people impacted by cancer. Four out of five feel distressed and alone, but with Canteen’s support, 9 out of 10 feel less isolated and 85% feel their mental health has improved. Your reset helped make that possible.

I’m so incredibly proud of everyone who took part. Together, we raised an incredible $50,862, helping ensure cancer doesn’t derail young people’s lives. Thank you, truly, for showing up for them."

Siona Hardy (pictured below), CEO, Canteen

When I was nine years old, my dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Just six months later, shortly after my 10th birthday, he passed away. Before Dad’s diagnosis, Mum, Dad, my two older brothers, and I went on a family holiday to New Zealand. Looking back on that holiday, that was the last time life felt normal for a long while

Being so young and losing my dad, was like having a dark cloud that hung over me. The best way to describe it was that I felt like I lost my childhood to cancer.

When Dad was diagnosed, Mum noticed how much I was struggling to cope. I felt I didn’t have anyone to talk to who understood me or what my family was going through. My friends and other kids at school didn’t understand what it was like to have a sick parent and then to lose them.

Then a staff member at the hospital told Mum about Canteen, and that’s when I realised, I wouldn’t have to face this alone

I joined Canteen when I was 12, and I’m now 20. Over the years, I’ve had so many incredible experiences. The first event I attended was a family day at the RAAF base in Amberley QLD. My brother and I got to go onto the flight deck of one of the planes. It was a day my family and I could spend time together and I felt like a kid again.

That day also sparked my interest in aviation, and I’ve studied at Aviation Australia with the goal of becoming an aircraft maintenance engineer.

Another standout experience was attending the Good Grief program when I was 13. It was my first time travelling on my own, all the way to the Blue Mountains. That program changed how I understood and managed my grief. For the first time, I met other young people like me, who had also lost a parent and I realised I wasn’t alone. The friends I made six years ago on that camp are still a part of my life today.

Losing my dad turned my life upside down, and for a long time, I didn’t think I was going to have a normal life again. Canteen has shown me that I could. I now know that I’m never truly alone and that there is always support from people who understand.

Because of you, I’ve made lifelong friends at camps and recreational days, developed leadership skills, and found people who truly listen, such as my key worker. Most importantly, I no longer feel alone.

Thank you

The funds are helping Canteen continue to support young cancer patients stay connected to study or work, both during and after their cancer treatment through Canteen’s Education and Career Support Service (ECS). Cancer and its treatment significantly disadvantage young people’s education and career development, leading to poor educational attainment as well as underemployment and unemployment compared to their peers.

Young people can use the service at the point of diagnosis, during treatment as well as after treatment as they transition back into work or study.

Cancer and its treatment detrimentally disadvantage young people’s education and career development, leading to poor educational attainment and under and unemployment compared to their peers.

Those diagnosed with cancer need evidence-based support to achieve education and employment outcomes, yet there is limited research in this area and few available interventions. By developing an Education Career Support program (ECS) for young people (YP) diagnosed with cancer, this project aims to improve outcomes for individuals with the potential for long-term flow-on effects for community and society.

ECS helps all cancer patients, aged 15-25 (during or post treatment) ECS consultants are trained career counsellors and provide different individual, needs based education, and career pathways.  One-to-one support sessions include recruitment skill building/resume writing/interview practice/job seeking, career planning, advocacy in the workplace, and support for employers and employees.  

“The benefits of the ECS service has been the development of my résumé and cover letter. ECS has helped me to better highlight the skills I already have to sell myself to a potential employer. To add on this, I have become more confident in what I can do in regard to work. Lastly, the regular check ins have meant a great deal to know that I am supported in getting paid work that I deserve.” - R – aged 25

“Through ECS, I have been able to build my knowledge around my future career pathway and in my education and has contributed to my reduced stress and anxiety levels associated with getting into a job or university. This is due to the support being provided direct and specific in helping me achieve my goals. I am extremely grateful for the support being provided to me as I am now more confident that I can achieve my goals for the future!” E – aged 17

“The world is a scary place, and it can be difficult to even know what certain pathways are available, and how to even get a foot in the door. For me, ECS has provided helpful methods in how to first pursue employment, as well as providing regular feedback on improvements to make. As someone who was quite clueless to this, having the resources to know how to look and apply for jobs is incredibly valuable. The encouragement has also been great as a motivator, and a way to build up courage. Without ECS, I doubt that I would have even been able to do half as much as I have now.” -  T - aged 25 

As a supporter of Canteen, we are delighted to announce that with your help we raised an astounding $184,472, and have also received additional funding from our grants round! 

These funds have helped Canteen continue to help young cancer patients stay connected to study or work, both during and after their cancer treatment through Canteen’s Education and Career Support Service (ECS).

Young people can use the service at the point of diagnosis, during treatment as well as after treatment as they transition back into work or study.​ How amazing is that!