Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust

Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust connects, supports and advocates.

Nationwide

No one should face head and neck cancer alone.

When someone hears the words “you have cancer”, life changes in an instant. The treatments are demanding, the side effects can be life-changing, and the journey is often frightening and isolating. However, with the right support, no one has to walk this path alone.

The Head and Neck Cancer Support Network is here to provide connection, understanding, and hope. We welcome new patients with support packs that demonstrate our commitment to their care, bring people together in online and local support groups, and share trusted information through our website and resources. Every story we hear reminds us that kindness and community truly make a difference.

Your donation helps us strengthen these lifelines. It means someone newly diagnosed receives comfort in their mailbox. It ensures that a survivor in a rural town can join a Zoom group and feel less alone. It allows us to create materials that raise awareness and save lives through early detection.

Together, we can give courage, comfort, and hope to every person affected by head and neck cancer.

More about us

Our mission

The Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust connect, supports, and advocates for people affected by head and neck cancer in New Zealand. Registered charity CC62562

Other page links

Light-Keepers Toolkit 3 October 2025

The Light-Keepers Toolkit: Supporting Friends and Whānau

When someone is diagnosed with head and neck cancer, it is not only the patient who is affected. Friends, whānau, and loved ones also take on an important role as caregivers, encouragers, and companions on the journey. At the Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust, we wanted to acknowledge this vital role and provide practical, meaningful support. That’s how the Light-Keepers Toolkit was created.

The toolkit provides simple, accessible information about head and neck cancer, treatment pathways, and recovery. It includes guidance on communication, tips for offering practical help, and ideas for emotional support. We used clear, warm language to make it easy to understand, while also providing links to trusted resources for those who want to go deeper. Importantly, we built it with cultural awareness, so whānau from all walks of life can see their role as one of strength and aroha.

The benefits of the Light-Keepers Toolkit have been immediate. Families tell us it helps them feel more prepared, less anxious, and better able to stand alongside their loved one. Patients tell us it eases their burden knowing that whānau have guidance and reassurance.

Just as light-keepers guided sailors safely to shore, this toolkit helps friends and whānau navigate uncertain waters. It is a gift of hope, strength, and connection — and we are proud to offer it to our community.

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