When Alice was just 9 years old, her sister Melissa was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma —a rare bone cancer. It started as a small bump on Melissa’s leg.

“The doctor mistook it for a muscle strain before a correct diagnosis,” Alice recalls. Over the next two and a half years, Melissa endured chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, and radiation treatment. She passed away at just 14 years old.

The grief was overwhelming, and for Alice, navigating life without her sister felt isolating. “Even though I had my parents and some friends, I was also just a kid trying to manage life without her,” she says. “I couldn't talk about it—it was too painful.” 

Then, just as Alice was entering adulthood, tragedy struck again. Her father, Brett, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Initially dismissed as possible long COVID, his symptoms—confusion and forgetfulness—worsened until a sudden collapse led to the devastating diagnosis. “It was stage four. I knew what this meant. I almost felt that I was going through the loss before he was even gone,” Alice shares. 

Brett began chemotherapy and radiation after surgery but passed away only three months later. 

With no other siblings and living with her mum Voula, Alice found herself battling grief once again after watching her once-strong father deteriorate. 

“One of the hardest things I faced was prioritising myself and my values over others. None of my close friends were there for me when I did reach out,” Alice says. “But I took the leap to adjust my social life, and although that was tough, I am much happier with the people I have as friends now.”

One year later Alice found Canteen—a lifeline she didn’t know she needed. “I was talking to my social worker about how other people my age just don't get it… even simple questions like ‘how many siblings do you have?’ are so hard for me to navigate,” she explains. That conversation led her to Canteen. 

Through Canteen, Alice found something she hadn’t felt in years: connection. 

“I met a close friend through their online discussion forum, and we both decided to apply for Canteen’s Leadership Program. From there, I joined the Youth Advisory Team and other programs—and am now supported by people who get it.” 

Alice says the impact Canteen has had on her life is profound. 

 “Canteen helped me become the best version of myself. The peers and connections I've made, as well as the events and staff, inspire me to do my best—not just in Canteen but in everything. They have provided the connection that my 9-year-old self desperately needed.” 

Canteen offers a wide range of free support services for young people impacted by cancer, including specialised counselling, online support, youth programs and leadership opportunities that help build resilience, confidence, and connection. 

“I’ve decided to share my story to show other people that they aren’t alone. That cancer, grief, and everything in between truly sucks, but there are other people who do get it.” 

How your support helps young people like Alice:

• $10 helps provide e-books and guides to support young people affected by cancer.
• $30 helps a young person struggling with cancer access online counselling when they need it most.
• $65 allows a young person like Alice to attend a Canteen program and connect with others who truly understand. 
• $118 provides a specialised counselling session for a distressed young person impacted by cancer. 

By taking part in Canteen’s #paws4cancer challenge this August, you can help make this support available to more young people like Alice. The challenge is simple: walk 63km with your dog in August and raise funds for young Australians facing cancer.

Join Alice and hundreds of other Australians this August. Sign up now for #paws4cancer via Facebook and take steps that make a real difference. 

Every day, 63 young Aussies are impacted by cancer. That’s 63 reasons to get your tail wagging this August. 

Join the #Paws4cancer Challenge on Facebook and walk 63km with your dog in August to raise vital funds for Canteen, supporting young people aged 12–25 when cancer turns their world upside down.