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Meet the Consumer Group

In 2019, the AYA Cancer Consumer Advisory Group was formed. This group represents 20 amazing and diverse young people from across New Zealand who have had a diagnosis of cancer. They volunteer and dedicate their time to share their own lived experience and help shape the future cancer care for all young people with cancer.

The Network is committed to empowering this group to; influence and provide valuable contribution to the work and issues in AYA cancer in partnership with stakeholders, to better inform service provision, strategy, quality improvement initiatives and equitable access to high- quality medical and supportive care regardless of location.

Click here to read the AYA Cancer Consumer Advisory Group TOR

See below to meet the incredible young people committed to the AYA Cancer cause.

Esthers story

Esther - Co-Chair

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Mackenzie - Co-Chair

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Alex Hunt

Alex

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Samsara

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Megan Dunlop

Megan

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Mike Gunter

Mike

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Tanwen

Tanwen

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chloe

Chloe

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Teri

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Jayden

amur and cat

Amur

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Alex

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Lillie

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Quinn

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Pounamu

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Wikus

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Reuben

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Ranui

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Mikyla

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Daniel

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Tori

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Nic

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Bishal

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Sophie

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Mackenzie

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Kia ōra, my name is MacKenzie, I was born in Lower Hutt but raised in Dunedin. I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma (stage 3) in August 2014 and after some ups and downs I have managed to come out the other side, hitting my ‘5-year post treatment’ mark on the 17th of August 2022

After this experience I knew I wanted to be involved in helping those who had gone through, or are going through, a similar journey to mine. AYA allows me to contribute my experiences, what helped what didn’t, so that future young people who are facing their own battle with cancer have some insight into what to expect from someone who was in a similar time of their lives as they are.

I love to draw and paint, but I am also an avid reader, anything from sci-fi to fantasy to manga. I tend to be a bit of a collector of hobbies, if something seems fun I might do it a year and then move on. I was collecting crystals, and now I am into candle making.

Alex Hunt

Alex-Hunt

My name is Alex and I am from the Auckland region. I joined the AYA Cancer Consumer Advisory Group because I wanted to advocate on behalf of young people affected by cancer in order to ensure that they had the best support possible during their cancer journey.

I am particularly interested in the survivorship area of AYA Cancer. Cancer does not finish with a remission diagnosis and the biggest difference I would like to see would be more support for those in the post remission journey. Just a few of the problems include; suffering from physicality, fertility and struggling with fitting back into life after cancer. Health and fitness are very important to me, especially after my own cancer journey.

I love being active, meeting new people and developing relationships. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Auckland and I am a personal trainer at my local gym.

Samsara

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Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, my name is Samsara Guillemot-Mene, and I am from Ōtautahi, Christchurch.

In March 2021, at 22-years-old, I began my battle with cancer. Following my diagnosis, I undertook surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy and like many others, I quickly learned that your journey does not finish on your last day of treatment. I have joined AYA to connect and work alongside others who have a shared understanding of the impact that this experiences has on both those diagnosed and those around them, and to support others who come to be on this journey also.

I love spending time with my friends and family, connecting with new people and experiencing different cultures. I am also currently completing my post-graduate studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha I University of Canterbury, training as a Child and Family Psychologist.

Megan

Megan Dunlop

Kia Ora! My name is Megan Dunlop, I am 21 and living in Ōtautahi! 

I was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in my right fibula at the beginning of 2020 and underwent 7 months of intensive chemotherapy. 

I am passionate about AYA patients being given the tools to make informed decisions around their health. Joining the AYA Consumer group felt like an empowering way to use my experience to help future AYA patients have access to quality information and services.

In my spare time you can catch me going to the gym, socialising with my friends and whānau, reading or playing guitar and singing.

Mike

Mike-Gunter

Hi my name is Mike Gunter and I am from Greymouth, now living in Christchurch.

I have joined AYA as I would love the opportunity to use the experience I have had gained from my own personal cancer experience, to find ways to improve the experience for future young people having to go through cancer. I am particularly interested in improving the mental health care patients and family members receive during and post treatment.

In my free time I love to travel or spend time in the outdoors doing things such mountain biking, snowboarding and hiking.

Tanwen

Tanwen

My name is Tanwen Ward and I was born and raised in Hamilton, and still live here with my fiancé Chris. My dad, Trefor, is from Cardiff in Wales, and my mum, Tanya, grew up in Papakura. When they decided that they were going to live in New Zealand, they chose to give my brother, Taliesin, and I Welsh names. Tanwen means Whitefire in Welsh.

I was excited to have the opportunity to join the AYA Cancer Consumer Advisory Group so that I can make a difference for young people with cancer in New Zealand. My journey to diagnosis was really stressful and made me feel like I was going crazy. I hope that through the AYA Cancer Consumer Advisory Group, I can help decrease the barriers to getting a diagnosis for other young people in the future.

In my spare time, I play Dungeons and Dragons and am currently the Dungeon Master for three, soon-to-be-four, games each week! As a self proclaimed D&D geek, I’ve even decided to focus on it for my PhD research which I started in March 2019.

Chloe

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Hi my name is Chloe Northcroft, I live on a dairy farm south of Murchison Tasman with my partner and our beautiful daughter.

I was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer at the age of 21 and have joined AYA to help other people my age to understand that you can have ovarian cancer (or any cancer for that matter) at any age and have the hope that by joining AYA we can achieve earlier diagnosis of cancer by trying to reduce the amount of young people dealing with this issue for months before diagnosis.

The areas I am interested in changing is diagnosis times and alternative treatment options

In my spare time I love being outdoors exploring our back yard with my family

Thank you Chloe

Sophie Perham

Sophie Perham

Kia ora! My name is Sophie and I was born and bred in Lower Hutt and now work as a business consultant in Wellington. I took a gap year in Poland after high school and then I studied Commerce and German which combined my passion for culture with my interest in business case competitions.

I really wanted to be a part of the AYA Cancer Network group as while I was going through treatment for brain cancer, my care was outstanding and I want to give back and help the Network to ensure equitable outcomes for all young people.

There are a few areas I am particularly passionate about improving including access to funded mental health services into survivorship as well as improving the survival rates for youth cancer across all regions. Regardless of where in New Zealand you live you should be able to access the best doctors and have the best care with no social or financial burden.

A fun fact about me is despite being the most inflexible person you will meet, when I was 10 I went to Rarotonga on a display gymnastics trip…

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.