AYA Cancer Network Aotearoa

AYA Cancer Network Aotearoa We can provide resources, information and contacts related to AYA cancer care.

The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Network Aotearoa connects professionals, patients, carers and other stakeholders with an interest in improving AYA cancer outcomes.

🌟 Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM) 🌟 LLLDAM is about raising visibility, promoting inclusion, and ...
15/04/2026

🌟 Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM) 🌟

LLLDAM is about raising visibility, promoting inclusion, and celebrating the resilience of people living with limb loss or limb difference.

This month, we’re proud to highlight one of our inspiring Rangatahi Advisory Group members, Rylee Sayer, who experienced limb loss as part of her cancer journey. After being diagnosed with aggressive bone cancer in 2023, Rylee underwent an amputation to save her life - and still found her way back to the pool with incredible determination 💪🏼

🏊‍♀️ At the Australian Open earlier this month, Rylee broke the S7 50m freestyle New Zealand record twice, with the new record now standing at 33.77 seconds.

We’re so proud of you Rylee! 🧡

‼️ We couldn’t wrap up AYA Cancer Awareness Week 2026 without giving a huge shout-out to AYAs themselves 🙌🏽🧡 Our Rangata...
10/04/2026

‼️ We couldn’t wrap up AYA Cancer Awareness Week 2026 without giving a huge shout-out to AYAs themselves 🙌🏽

🧡 Our Rangatahi (Consumer) Advisory Group was established by the AYA Cancer Network in 2019 to ensure the voices of young people are heard and to influence the future of AYA cancer care. They’re a diverse group of 20 members from across the country, representing different cultures, locations, ages, and cancer diagnoses. Together, they volunteer their time to shape the care and support young people receive. They meet regularly online, and once a year, in-person, for a face-to-face weekend.

5️⃣ They work across five levels of influence - ranging from providing input to Network projects to fully leading new initiatives. The level of engagement varies depending on the project, but they always aim to bring the perspectives of young people to the forefront.

💯 A big mihi to our AYA Rangatahi Advisory Group members. Your contribution is invaluable. Your voices hold immense mana - and we’re committed to making sure your voices are heard 🧡

🟠 Today, we are highlighting AYA Cancer Services Aotearoa 🟠AYA cancer services are designed specifically for young peopl...
10/04/2026

🟠 Today, we are highlighting AYA Cancer Services Aotearoa 🟠

AYA cancer services are designed specifically for young people and are based across six major hospitals in Aotearoa 🇳🇿

At the heart of these services are the AYA Cancer Keyworkers, specialist cancer coordinators who are often a young person’s go-to support throughout their cancer journey. They help explain what’s happening, connect young people and whānau with practical and emotional support, coordinate care across teams and services, and check in from diagnosis through treatment and, where possible, beyond 💯

AYA Keyworkers do an incredible job walking alongside young people and helping them feel seen, supported and understood through one of the toughest times in their lives 🧡

🔸 The AYA Cancer Network Aotearoa 🔸 Established in 2014, the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Network Aotearoa was crea...
09/04/2026

🔸 The AYA Cancer Network Aotearoa 🔸

Established in 2014, the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Network Aotearoa was created to address a clear gap in cancer care for young people ‼️

Our role is to bring people, services and expertise together across the cancer journey, connecting health professionals, support providers, researchers, patients and whānau to improve outcomes for rangatahi and young adults across Aotearoa 🧡

We’re here to help reduce inequities, improve consistency of care, and make sure every young person with cancer can access high-quality, age-appropriate support, no matter where they live or how they enter the system 💯

More on AYA cancer services, and the amazing Rangatahi Advisory Group, coming soon…! ✨

✨ Today we’re highlighting Life After Cancer ✨“When you are in treatment, you are in survival mode. But survivorship — a...
08/04/2026

✨ Today we’re highlighting Life After Cancer ✨

“When you are in treatment, you are in survival mode. But survivorship — and returning to life — is where so many of us struggle.”

🟠 In Aotearoa, a recent study found 94% of AYAs in survivorship face barriers after treatment ends. Cancer doesn’t stop affecting life when treatment finishes.

🔶 That’s why we’re working hard to better support AYAs through this next chapter — including our Life After Cancer resource. We’re also partnering with an amazing group of NGOs, health professionals, and young people to strengthen the supports available to AYAs post‑treatment 💯

🔸Today, we’re reflecting on Jess’s Rule. A patient safety initiative from the UK inspired by Jessica Brady, a young woma...
06/04/2026

🔸Today, we’re reflecting on Jess’s Rule. A patient safety initiative from the UK inspired by Jessica Brady, a young woman whose cancer was diagnosed too late after repeated GP visits.

🔸Its message is simple and powerful: After 3 appointments for the same unresolved or worsening symptoms - stop, review, and rethink.

🔸For young people, whānau, and health professionals alike, this matters. If symptoms persist, worsen, or just don’t fit, it’s okay to ask: “What else could this be?”

🔸 Cancer in adolescents and young adults is rare - but not impossible. And because it’s less expected, diagnosis can sometimes be delayed.

Early diagnosis can mean:
✨Less intensive treatment
✨Fewer long‑term effects
✨Better outcomes

3️⃣ Three visits. Same concern. Time for a fresh look 🧡

This week it’s AYA Cancer Awareness Week! 🧡 It’s an opportunity to shine a light on the unique challenges that rangatahi...
05/04/2026

This week it’s AYA Cancer Awareness Week! 🧡

It’s an opportunity to shine a light on the unique challenges that rangatahi cancer patients and survivors face. We will be sharing AYA awareness posts on social media throughout the week to highlight different aspects of AYA cancer care.

It is widely recognised that the AYA cancer population (12-24 years old) has distinct developmental needs that can only be met through high quality, multidisciplinary, and age-appropriate care Their needs are unique, and their care should be too 💯

This week, we’ll be sharing kōrero about early identification, survivorship, rangatahi voice, and the support available across Aotearoa.

Follow along as we shine a light on AYA cancer care in Aotearoa 🇳🇿

When we saw these images, they felt like a visual reminder that “we cannot change the cards we are dealt, only how we pl...
01/04/2026

When we saw these images, they felt like a visual reminder that “we cannot change the cards we are dealt, only how we play the game.” ♠️

Witnessing our young people take the cards they’ve been dealt and use them to connect, uplift, and improve the experience for others in similar situations is truly inspiring 🧡

This week we’re spotlighting our AYA Cancer Network Aotearoa ‘Hair Loss Packs’ 💛These packs are available through the AY...
25/03/2026

This week we’re spotlighting our AYA Cancer Network Aotearoa ‘Hair Loss Packs’ 💛

These packs are available through the AYA Keyworkers, for rangatahi and young adults experiencing hair loss during cancer treatment. They include helpful resources about hair loss, headwear options, and some beautiful bandanas kindly donated by .

Ngā mihi nui to Canteen for your generosity and ongoing support for AYAs impacted by cancer 🌟

💡 Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a time to recognise and honour the many ways people experience and interact with th...
19/03/2026

💡 Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a time to recognise and honour the many ways people experience and interact with the world.

🌻 Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that describes the natural diversity of human brains - just as biodiversity explains the variety of plant life, neurodiversity recognises the variety of human minds, all deserving of respect.

🟧 Last year at our AYA Cancer Education Day, one of our Health Professionals shared this beautiful kōrero: “Taonga Takiwātanga is a mana‑enhancing term, which regards people with autism as gifted, or taonga. Takiwātanga means ‘in his/her own time and space’.”

🧡 A powerful reminder to value difference, dignity, and diverse ways of being.

🛶 Another highlight from the Rangatahi Advisory Group Weekend was our unique and special time with the Waka on Avon team...
14/03/2026

🛶 Another highlight from the Rangatahi Advisory Group Weekend was our unique and special time with the Waka on Avon team 🛶

🐟 From learning waiata, haka, and kōrero tuku iho to hearing the stories of this place and feeling the river beneath our paddles, every moment was meaningful There was something powerful about moving together, chanting together, and connecting with the whakapapa of the Ōtākaro 🐟

🧡 Ngā mihi nui to Waka on Avon for an incredible, memorable experience we will always treasure 🧡

Address

ACS Building, Level 05, Ferncroft Street, Grafton
Auckland
1010

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+6421819486

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