For Dunedin teenager Shania Fox (16) there is great satisfaction in starting the school year alongside her peers this week.
The Kavanagh College Year 12 pupil is looking forward to getting back into the swing of life as a teenager at high school after almost 18 months of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Diagnosed in September 2013, after feeling dizzy for some time, Shania spent more than six months undergoing intensive treatment in Christchurch Hospital. This was followed by ongoing treatment that involved flying to Christchurch every other week for several months and now continues with monthly chemotherapy here in Dunedin.
It has been a long and often difficult journey for the bubbly young woman, made bearable by the support of family, friends, and support organisation CanTeen, which works with young people living with cancer - both patients and their siblings.
From the start of Shania's cancer journey, while she was in hospital in Christchurch, CanTeen was there. She had visits from other ''CanTeeners'' as well as the Christchurch-based youth worker, who also brought games, books and DVDs to help keep her entertained.
CanTeen Otago regional manager Donna Davidson said the organisation worked hard to help ''normalise'' life for young people at a very difficult time.
''It's hard enough going through the teenage years, but then you add cancer to the mix and it is a pretty big blow for them,'' Mrs Davidson said.
For Shania, that included having to deal with the awkwardness and curiosity of her peers when she was able to attend school later last year - on crutches and wearing wigs after losing her hair.
''It was tough to be known as the cancer kid, but I tried to have fun with the situation . . . and people got used to it after a while,'' she said.
In response to the many questions she was asked, and a flood of interest on her personal facebook page, Shania established a separate facebook page dedicated to her cancer journey at www.facebook.com/Specialshania.
Since returning home to Dunedin, Shania has become an active member of the CanTeen Otago committee, helping to support other young people through their cancer journey. The weekly Tuesday night get-togethers are an important part of that mutual support, and are held in a newly refurbished teen space at CanTeen's London St offices.
About $5000 was spent on the upgrade, with funds provided through the Bendigo Valley Trust and the Masonic Lodge.
Before her diagnosis, Shania loved school, was academically strong, coached basketball and took part in debating.
Determined to keep up despite her treatment, she was able to continue her studies (mostly at home) and passed NCEA level 1, ensuring she could start school again this year with her peers. Those peers include seven other CanTeen members (patients and siblings, all attending Kavanagh).
''It will be quite nice to have the others there at school with me - you know that you're definitely not alone.''
The annual CanTeen Otago fundraiser, the Tiakina Cruise, will be held on Sunday, February 22, from 1pm. This year's cruise will be a ladies' pamper cruise, with the funds raised going towards CanTeen Otago services, including communications, counselling, and camps. Tickets are available through CanTeen Otago.
