As leading providers of support to children and young people with cancer, Redkite and CanTeen, are proud to have come together to produce a free DVD to assist parents and families through their child’s cancer experience.
The result of extensive research by both charities It’s Like This... is a practical and caring support tool to aid parents to cope with the challenges often experienced in the cancer journey.
Available free online, It’s Like This… explores a range of topics from diagnosis, to treatment to dealing with bereavement; providing important tools for honest and open communication.
The DVD presents a dialogue between young people who are patients, siblings or a child of an adult with cancer and the parents of these young people. This also includes the voices of parents and young people who have experienced bereavement as a result of a cancer diagnosis.
“When Jaryd was diagnosed I probably became over protective – I wanted to make things right for him. But in doing that I forgot to listen to what he wanted for his cancer journey… I kind of smothered him I guess. And that was when he said ‘mum take a step back, I am grown up and I can think for myself’ and I think that was when I stood back and thought, yes, he does have to live through this journey not just survive it” said Mum, Karen, mother of Jaryd, 21, diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.
The DVD is a vital tool that will benefit parents across the country who are dealing with cancer in their family.
“Parents have trouble understanding teenagers or kids under normal circumstances so it’s important to have a resource that helps parents to understand what additional issues a teenager or kid has to face when something like cancer occurs in their life” said Josh, 17, whose mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.
This first time collaboration between Redkite and CanTeen has produced a valuable resource for families dealing with a cancer diagnosis. It will also be useful for health professionals, providing them with insights into what young people affected by cancer are going through.
Ordering:
The DVD is available free and can be ordered online at: www.canteen.org.au/parentdvd
or www.redkite.org.au/parentdvd
Or by phone 1800 669 942 (CanTeen) or 1300 722 644 (Redkite).
About Redkite
Redkite is a national charity that supports children and young people up to the age of 24 through cancer, by providing practical support to the whole family. Redkite’s essential services are available for families from the moment of diagnosis, throughout gruelling treatment periods and on the return home. These services include financial and educational assistance, support in hospitals through social workers and music therapists, and community based support including telephone and email counselling.
For more information on Redkite please visit www.redkite.org.au
For families needing support from Redkite email support@redkite.org.au or call 1300 722 644
About CanTeen
CanTeen is the Australian Organisation for Young People Living with Cancer. CanTeen's Members are young people (12-24 year-olds) living with cancer, including cancer patients, brothers or sisters of cancer patients and young people with a parent or primary care giver with cancer or has died from cancer. CanTeen provides Members with a place where they can simply be young people - away from the adult dominated environment of cancer hospitals and treatment regimes. Through its camps and programs, CanTeen encourages its Members to get involved, make friends and have fun! In the words of our Members, the most effective form of support is from other young people in a similar situation - who have "been there, done that".
For more information on CanTeen please visit www.canteen.org.au
For more information on the Now What website visit www.nowwhat.org.au
