Hello, my name is Janine, I'm 25 and was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma at the age of 20. When you go through cancer as a young adult, you want to be surrounded by people who get you, people that understands the physical and emotional side of cancer. A sense of community and belonging in a place where people have been struck by cancer in their life. 

Canteen has been my safety net from the moment I was diagnosed, to supporting me post-treatment. Canteen not only supports young adults in treatment, but also offer support to those affected by it (e.g. a sibling/parent being diagnosed). My first encounter with Canteen was when I had a staff member that would come and visit me every time I had in-hospital care. From there, she encouraged me to get on board with Canteen Connect, as I never had the chance to go to in-person events, and often stayed at home recovering. 

Canteen Connect took me by surprise. I found that there were lots of people who were just like me, and needed a friend to talk to; a sense of community where people actually understood what we were all going through. I began to engage in discussions, talk to people and even wrote up my own tips/queries that I had, in the hope that people would interact and share their experience too. 

Having Canteen Connect as an option for me was perfect as I was too unwell to join in person events due to being in and out of hospital, and then Covid happened towards the end of treatment. This meant that although I wasn’t able to see friends, or even go to Canteen Aotearoa events if I was up for it, Canteen Connect was only a click away for support or fun online events! 

In 2021, I decided to turn the support I was receiving from Canteen to giving back to the cancer community through Canteen youth leadership. We had monthly learning modules, important guest speakers at meetings, as well as the opportunity to learn how to create videos, podcasts and much more. By telling our journey to others going along the same path, we hope that that our stories can spread awareness about the affects of cancer - but also know that there is growth through the journey we face both during and after cancer.

I have been a part of both Canteen Australia and Canteen Aotearoa, have met rangatahi from different walks of life, took part in events such as the Leadership Festival and Canteen Aotearoa Camp, and created beautiful memories with people that will always have a special place in my heart. 

I went into Canteen not knowing that it would change my aspect on life, and personality, for the better. I was very shy, and not exactly an outspoken person, but Canteen helped me through those feelings. By joining workshops that taught us how to speak in a public setting (whether that was through video or learning how to story tell in articles), Canteen has taught me not only how to lead others but to be an advocate for myself, and be confident in the person that I have become today - and the past challenges that have strengthened my courage. Becoming a leader through my role in Leading Voices (a leadership program), or leading in my local Aotearoa Hub, has helped spark my confidence in my own personal life – with my job or dance hobby which has then led me to amazing opportunities that a person like me wouldn’t of thought I’d be capable of 4 years ago whilst in treatment. Canteen Aotearoa/Australia has opened many doors for me, and I couldn't thank them enough for their guidance. 

By Janine S, Canteen Connect Community Member