Why does The League of Bald Headed Men support CanTeen?

CanTeen (The Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer) is supported by The League of Bald Headed Men for primarily the following reasons;
a) The League feels that the promotion of the well being of young people living with cancer is a just and deserved cause.
b) On surveying our initial membership there was an overwhelming desire to support another community based body that was helping primarily children.
c) The League felt that there was a platform for a shared connection and empathy with those young people suffering cancer in terms of bald heads.
d) On closer examination, The League believes that many of the ideals and philosophies of both organisations are shared, allowing a natural integration of direction and what both bodies view as important in life. If you read on to discover a bit more about CanTeen’s background and rationale, we believe you will agree.

How does The League of Bald Headed Men support CanTeen?

The League aims to support CanTeen on two levels.

Firstly, on a network basis offering recreational and mentoring support. This may be to help physically where CanTeen requests support, such as a camp or planned recreational day. This may be also on a planned event basis where a set activity is planned specifically with the League and CanTeen in mind. Examples of planned events include a Golf Day where members of the CanTeen program joined in the day and partnered up with a League member. Or alternatively, a Go Karts night where League members competed with the children/adolescents (and were beaten).

Support on the second level is of a financial nature. CanTeen receives no government support and relies on donations from the community to survive. The League through designated and advertised activities will provide financial support to CanTeen when and where it is capable. The continued growth of The League and support for its designated CanTeen events means that hopefully, the level of this financial support will continue to grow. Corporate sponsorship of these specific events also determines the level of support The League can provide. Any potential sponsors for upcoming events (check events calendar) are encouraged to contact The League.

What is CanTeen?

CanTeen aims to support, develop and empower young people living with cancer by providing a high quality Australia-wide peer support network to share experiences, have fun, offer resources and promote understanding, well being and leadership.

Sounds pretty similar to what the League is about, yes?

The touchstone of CanTeen is the belief that young people, through meeting and talking with one another, would be better able to cope with the uncertainties of a cancer diagnosis.

“It’s great to be able to help others by sharing your experiences and being there for them” – WA member

“Lot’s of things would not have been possible for me if it had not been for the help, support and encouragement of the staff, and other patients and siblings. In CanTeen anything is possible.” Vic - member

CanTeen is open to not only those patients that have cancer but also siblings, bereaved siblings, offspring and bereaved offspring and those who have a parent or primary carer with cancer.

What does CanTeen do?

SUPPORTING MEMBERS
Camps- providing activities and the opportunity to create friendships.
Patient Sibling and Offspring Weekends – designed specifically for these people and dealing with the commonly faced issues of each group.
TeenLink- a peer support program that provides newly diagnosed people with the support of a young person who has ‘been there and done that’.
Good Grief – a weekend program which raises the issues of grief and loss and aims to provide skills which enables participants to work through these issues.
Magazines – which provide a forum for members to express views and keep in touch.
Educational Workshops and Recreational Activities – to provide skills in a variety of relevant areas that will be beneficial now and in the future.

DEVELOPING MEMBERS
Educational workshops – concentrating on issues identified by members such as fertility, side effects, etc
Discussion Groups – the opportunity is provided to discuss issues related to living with cancer in a supportive peer group setting.
Community Education – a substantial part of CanTeen’s charter is to inform the wider community of the issues relevant to young people living with cancer.

EMPOWERING MEMBERS
Member participation in management – CanTeen’s philosophy is to involve young people in the decision making process and empower them to take responsibility for their organisation. Therefore, CanTeen members conduct interviews and appoint any vacant management positions when and where necessary.