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Whānau Support

"The consultant was really interested in what my mum had to say, and sat down and spent 4 hours speaking with her, and that made a difference for mum bringing me in for treatment"
AYA patient

Resources

CanTeen (AUS) | Being a partner of someone who has cancer

Children with Cancer - A Guide for Parents

Cancer and Relationships

Children and Young People with Cancer: A Parents Guide

Dealing with your siblings' cancer

Information and support for grandparents

Looking After Someone with Cancer

Managing family life and cancer

Children's Guide: My Brother or Sister has Cancer

Young people looking after someone with cancer

Supporting brothers and sisters

When your sibling has cancer

When your sibling can't be cured

Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer

Importance of taking time out - a guide

What now - a guide for parents and carers

Support Directory

The following non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can provide a range of support services to whānau. These include counselling, financial assistance, peer support, parental, sibling and partner support

 

Hospital support services i.e. Social Workers, psychology teams, chaplaincy team, Kaiatawhai, The Pacific family support team and Community and social services
(i.e. Whānau Ora tpk.govt.nz/en/whakamahia/whanau-ora/find-a-whanau-ora-provider-andor-initiative).

Social workers and NGOs will likely have knowledge of a range of these services within the whānau’s community.

He Ara Takahinga Directory – A Directory of Services in Auckland to Support Whanau Ora | healthpoint.co.nz/public/other/auckland-dhb-maori-health/im:339208/

Work and Income – can provide a range of benefit options and financial assistance www.workandincome.govt.nz

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Heidi Watson

The Clinical Leader is responsible for providing clinical leadership and national oversight of the network .

Heidi is a passionate and experienced health professional with a strong clinical, education and leadership background. Her enthusiasm for, and commitment to youth health has focused on improving the outcomes of youth with cancer and chronic health conditions. Previously, Heidi held the position of AYA Cancer Nurse Specialist for Auckland District Health Board. Alongside her AYA clinical leadership role she holds a youth health academic position at the University of Auckland.

Cristal Salatas

Cristal 2025

Cristal Salatas is the Research & Data Lead for the AYA Cancer Network. She is also a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, specialising in Perinatal Sciences. Her research utilises Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse the spatial, nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic determinants of preterm birth risk across New Zealand. Cristal’s research bridges spatial epidemiology, GeoAI-driven risk modelling, and public health policy, ensuring that geospatial insights translate into actionable healthcare solutions.

Cristal has also conducted cancer research at her alma mater (University of Florida), where she developed a successful killing assay for glioblastoma multiforme. Now, she will build on that foundation by leading research and data efforts to support adolescents and young adults facing cancer across Aotearoa.