Champion Kiwis get behind CanTeen's Bandanna Challenge

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CanTeen 2013 appeal - 13 - 29 September

Donate today at neveralone.co.nz

CanTeen is in winning company, with New Zealand's three-peat champion SKYCITY Breakers and New Zealand's Got Talent winner Clara van Wel joining the talented team of bandanna designers for Bandanna Challenge 2013.

The new CanTeen ambassadors join All Black Daniel Carter and Silver Fern Maria Tutaia along with CanTeen members in creating a range of inspirational bandannas for the annual appeal, which runs from 13 - 29 September.

With her love of music acting as her inspiration, Clara says her bandanna design is based around the concept that music can give us wings.

"No matter who you are or where you are, music can take you somewhere untouchable, unreachable. Music is one language that we can all understand and relate to. It lifts us up - like birds, and we can fly wherever we want."

The Breakers design, in collaboration with 19-year-old Patient Member Jessica Hamilton, draws together koru designs with the signature Breakers blue. The words 'One Team', one of CanTeen's core values, feature on the bandanna.

Collaborated designs from Daniel and Patient Member Annabel Sopoaga-Ariki (Christchurch), Maria and Sibling Member Azura-Eve Silberschmidt (Rotorua), and the Breakers and Patient Member Jessica Hamilton (Auckland) will be available, while Clara and Patient Member Miro Tidswell-Groot (Nelson) provide individual designs for the 2013 range.

This year also sees a new campaign for CanTeen - an emotional reminder that, while living with cancer is one of the most daunting challenges young people can face, there is nothing worse than going through it alone.

The campaign draws on the experiences of six young New Zealanders - CanTeen members from around the country, each of whom have had their lives impacted by cancer, either having been diagnosed themselves, as a sibling of someone who has, or a sibling who has passed away from cancer.

CanTeen National Marketing Manager Kimberley Waters says the campaign raises an important theme for the charity.

"The campaign is all about raising awareness of what it's like to be a young person living with cancer- whether as a patient, a sibling or a bereaved sibling - as they all go through their own unique journey whether that be physically and/or emotionally."

"We exist to ensure young people don't face cancer alone. No matter where they are on their cancer journey or how their life has been impacted, we aim to help our Members grow stronger, find inner resources and strength."

Through CanTeen, these brave young people are supported in various ways, not just by professionals, but by a support network of young people who have, or are living through, similar experiences - young people who can truly relate to the realities of cancer. They are empowered with skills and tools to help them through life.

"This is our 15th year of Bandanna Challenge and the bandannas continue to be a symbol of hope, courage and strength for our Members," says Mrs Waters.

CanTeen receives no direct government funding so relies on its own fundraising efforts and the generosity of the New Zealand public. The funds raised through Bandanna Challenge will go towards providing peer counselling workshops, development and leadership programmes, recreational activities and much more.

Bandannas will be on sale for $4 each from 13 to 29 September through all PAK'nSAVE, New World and Four Square supermarkets, Burger King, BP stations, Famers, Repco, Warehouse Stationery and at neveralone.co.nz. In addition, during the annual appeal, local CanTeen branches will be holding fundraising events, and street appeal collections.

Donate to CanTeen today at neveralone.co.nz