NotebookCity.co.nz are proud to sponsor CanTeen, a charity whose mission is to support, develop and empower young people aged 13-24 living with cancer (patients, siblings and bereaved siblings) through a national support network, and professional educational and recreational programmes.

NotebookCity.co.nz make donations calculated from a percentage of the value of every order placed on our website.

You can donate directly to CanTeen by following this link: http://www.canteen.org.nz/donate/make-a-donation

CanTeen Australia was founded in 1985 by a New Zealand cancer survivor studying in Sydney.

The idea for a youth-oriented cancer patient support group emerged from the personal and professional experiences of Michael Carr-Gregg, who, in 1978 at the age of 20, was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his neck.

It was his experience of being treated at Wellington Hospital that inspired Michael to form CanTeen Australia while studying there.

Michael's passion was embraced and developed by a group of six young cancer patients and was supported by a number of health professionals. Collectively, they recognised that young people with cancer were being treated in an environment that was dominated by either young children or adults and further, they realized that isolation from one's peers can have a serious impact on your ability to cope with diagnosis and treatment.

Not only did young cancer patients need support in their struggle to survive, they needed to escape the pressures of the hospital to simply 'be young people.'

Phillip Townsend, a New Zealand teenage cancer survivor, was visiting Australia when he met Michael Carr-Gregg. After sharing their experiences and learning about the teenage cancer patient support group in Australia, Phillip and Michael decided to bring the concept back home and established CanTeen in New Zealand.

In 1986, CanTeen New Zealand was created to ensure that no young person living in NZ ever has to deal with cancer alone.

In 1996 CanTeen was incorporated as a society, and registered as a New Zealand charity.

Since its inception, CanTeen has had a clear focus on the needs of young people living with cancer. CanTeen's foundation was built upon the fundamental belief that young people - through meeting, talking and sharing their experiences - would be better able to cope with the uncertainties of living with cancer

Today, CanTeen New Zealand operates in 13 branches throughout the country and has grown into a respected and much admired charity.