Every year around 23,000 young people (aged 12-25 years) are confronted with a cancer diagnosis – whether it’s their own or that of a parent, brother or sister[1].
CanTeen, a youth cancer charity, is asking Australians to show their support for young people affected by cancer through their annual event, National Bandanna Day. Held on Friday 26th October, National Bandanna Day is CanTeen’s major fundraising and awareness campaign and has generated more than $30 million over the past 24 years to support young people going through a cancer experience.
For the first time, CanTeen collaborated with Paul Vasileff, renowned Founder and Designer of Paolo Sebastian and 2017 Young Australian of the Year, to create a beautiful, limited-edition silk bandanna. CanTeen also joined forces with young Indigenous artist, Pacinta Turner, who designed the ‘My Country and Wallaby Tracks Dreaming’ bandanna. There are a variety of other colourful and patterned bandannas, including an aztec, flamingo and pineapple print, available to purchase.
CanTeen CEO, Peter Orchard says, “Our bandannas are powerful symbols of hope, connection and resilience for young people impacted by cancer. We’re so excited to collaborate with two amazing creatives this year who share this vision and have produced beautiful designs. This year, our goal is to sell 270,000 bandannas which will enable us to raise $1.37 million so we can continue to provide vital support to young people affected by cancer. We’ll need support from communities around Australia, so we can achieve our target”.
Paul Vasileff comments on the collaboration, “I’m honoured to work alongside CanTeen for this important and powerful campaign. My very first parade held in 2007 raised money for CanTeen, so I’ve always felt a strong connection to the charity. I also grew up participating in Bandanna Day and I remember thinking how one day I’d love to design my own bandanna, so here we are years later”.
National Bandanna Day is supported through an array of Australian schools, organisations, businesses and via the CanTeen website, where people can show their support by donating or purchasing a bandanna, with prices starting at $5.
The funds raised will go towards helping young people explore and deal with their emotions about cancer, connect with peers in similar situations, attend online and face-to-face counselling and, if they’ve been diagnosed themselves, CanTeen provide specialist, youth-specific treatment teams.
Peter Orchard adds, “A cancer diagnosis, whether it’s your own or a family member’s, truly turns someone’s world upside down. At CanTeen, we’re dedicated to providing support and a safe place for young people navigating their way through this tumultuous journey.”
CanTeen member, Maddy Ritchie, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Rhadbomyosarcoma Cancer at the age of 17 and was given three months to live, encourages Australians to support National Bandanna Day because it provides people like her with life-changing opportunities.
Maddy says, “CanTeen truly changed my life. In a time of immense isolation and grief, CanTeen helped me to deal with cancer, heal from memories and get much needed support. I was finally able to connect and felt part of a family, and I can honestly say that I’ve made friends that will last a lifetime.”
Peter Orchard concludes, “We believe no young person should face cancer alone. Young people like Maddy remind us of why National Bandanna Day is so important. We’re so grateful for all our supporters because it allows us to provide support and guidance to people when they need it most”.
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