MEDIA RELEASE
26 March 2013
CanTeen Greeting Cards Set To Put Smiles On Faces
Five young artists from CanTeen have joined Silver Fern and CanTeen Ambassador Maria Tutaia to create a set of six
unique greeting card designs to raise funds for the charity.
CanTeen Sibling Members Mikayla Archer (New Plymouth) and Rosa Cameron (Dunedin); Bereaved Sibling Member Rachel Allan
(Christchurch), and CanTeen Alumni* members Samuel Gwynn (26 from Wellington) and Anna Blandford (25, also from
Wellington) have teamed with Tutaia to produce six unique card designs, each with a special story attached.
CanTeen’s National Marketing Manager Kimberley Waters says CanTeen is well known for its popular Christmas cards, which
are produced and sold each year.
“We’ve had a lot of feedback from supporters who were keen to purchase blank, every day cards in support of a great
cause, and the idea stemmed from there.
“Last year we piloted our greeting cards and were thrilled with the uptake, so we decided to make it an annual
fundraising initiative. Our member designers and Maria have all done an excellent job creating the designs and we
encourage all Kiwis to get behind our young people and purchase a pack or two, as it always puts a smile on someone’s
face when they receive a note of thanks, encouragement, or a friendly hello the good old fashioned way.”
CanTeen is a national peer support organisation for young people aged 13 to 24 living with cancer as a patient, sibling
or bereaved sibling. Members are able to share their experiences with other young people who know what it’s like to deal
with cancer.
CanTeen greeting cards come in packs of six for $16, and are available online at www.canteen.org.nz/shop/greeting-cards or by calling by phoning 0800 22 34 34.
To find out more about CanTeen and the support they provide young people living with cancer, please visit www.canteen.org.nz
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*Note to editors: CanTeen Alumni is a community forum for ex-CanTeen members who are over the age of 24. This is a great
way for members to stay in touch with one another and with CanTeen after they graduate.
About CanTeen’s greeting card designs, in the words of the artists
Samuel Gwynn, Patient Member and now CanTeen Alumni Member, Wellington
When I was four, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour (astrocytoma). I’m now 26 so I’ve left CanTeen but I’m part of
their Alumni Programme, which means I can keep in touch with other ex-CanTeen members. The opportunities I’ve had
through CanTeen are awesome and I appreciate the support I’ve received and friendships I’ve made. I sometimes wonder how
different life may have been without cancer. However, having been through cancer, it makes me more determined to live
life positively and never hold back. It’s awesome participating in the peer support programmes at CanTeen where everyone
has a similar reason to be there. A lifelong story of survival is the inspiration behind my greeting card design.
Mikayla Archer, Sibling Member, New Plymouth
In 2010, my younger sister Emma was diagnosed with cancer at the age of two. My immediate thought was to remain
optimistic as I knew my fear would reflect on her, but deep down, I was terrified. Her illness made me feel very alone.
I knew my parents needed to be right there with her but I was still only 15; I needed support too. CanTeen has helped me
understand that I’m never alone and there are hundreds of people out there, just like me. CanTeen has provided a sort of
second family that I can trust and rely on. The idea behind my design is basically how CanTeen makes me feel. It's also
about how we're all so unique, but feel so comfortable together because we're going through the same things. I wanted to
design something that would bring joy to others.
Rosa Cameron, Sibling Member, Dunedin
On Christmas Eve in 2011, my older brother was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 22. As a young person, I think it’s
awesome that CanTeen exists to provide a support network for patients and their siblings. As a sibling, you go through
your own personal cancer experience and CanTeen recognises that. I’ve realised that it’s normal to be related to someone
who has cancer and there are so many of us out there. CanTeen cultivates a positive environment, which is really
important.
Anna Blandford, Bereaved Sibling Member and now Alumni Member, Wellington
After my older brother Scott lost his battle with Neuroblastoma cancer, CanTeen became my home away from home; a place I
felt safe and met fantastic people who shared similar experiences. CanTeen is like a second family to me, filled with
inspirational people who have grown to be my best buddies. I’m now 25, so I’ve farewelled CanTeen, however I have many
achievements to show for it, including sitting on the MAC (Member Advisory Committee) for five years and Board for two
years where I got to be the voice of our members. I’ve had heaps of fun and have learnt many positive things along the
way, thanks to CanTeen. I was inspired by the elements of New Zealand and its beautiful nature. I wanted to bring them
together in a contemporary way for all to enjoy.
Rachel Allan, Bereaved Sibling Member, Christchurch
I joined CanTeen when my brother Ben was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the end of 2007. Unfortunately, after a short,
brave battle, Ben passed away in January 2010. CanTeen is a place where I can be myself. The ‘been there, done that’
philosophy creates an environment that makes me feel understood and accepted. I’ve learnt so much about myself and
developed skills and confidence that I wouldn’t have without CanTeen. My design is a reflection of all the things that
CanTeen means to me. It's really hard to put into words exactly what CanTeen has given me but I've given it a go. The
colours also reflect my home province, Canterbury.
Maria Tutaia, Silver Fern netballer and CanTeen Ambassador
I joined CanTeen’s amazing team as an Ambassador in 2008 at the age of 21. I saw it as a great opportunity to support my
peers. In that time, I’ve met some incredible young people, who in my eyes are extraordinary and brave. I know CanTeen
makes a difference because I’ve seen it first-hand. They do an amazing job making young people feel that they’re never
alone on their journey. CanTeen is a great organisation and the people who work there are absolutely committed to
supporting, developing and empowering their members. Being a New Zealander and a Silver Fern, the fern means a lot to
me; symbolising my family, life and home. This was why I chose to use a fern for my design. Adding my personal flavour
to it with a splash of pink, it is girly but still distinctly New Zealand.
ENDS