Canteen youth ambassador Saskia Rogers inspired by personal health battle to help teens

Saskia Rogers was only 17 when she was diagnosed with oral cancer which resulted in three surgeries and a year relearning how to speak. Here’s how she’s helping ‘people like me’.

Saskia Rogers, 20, cancer survivor and youth ambassador for Canteen who are celebrating 30 years of bandanna day. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

When Saskia Rogers first developed an ulcer on the roof of her mouth, she didn’t think much of it.

But when it started to grow, turn purple, and cause intense pain, she sought medical help.

After surgery to remove the ulcer, doctors delivered some awful news: at just 17 years old, she was diagnosed with oral cancer.

“My first thoughts were, how bad is this going to hurt? What about school? My future, my dreams? Am I going to die?” Miss Rogers recalls.

Following two additional surgeries, Miss Rogers was left with a large open hole in her hard palate, making it nearly impossible to eat. She also spent a year re-learning how to speak. Along with the physical challenges, Rogers faced emotional trauma as classmates began bullying her, accusing her of faking the illness for attention.

“A lot of my friends didn’t really know how to understand what I was going through,” she said.

“When people asked how I was, my response was always about the cancer because that was my life at the time. I think some people interpreted that as me trauma dumping, but that was my reality.”

Saskia Rogers at age 17 in hospital after surgery as part of her treatment for cancer. Picture: supplied

Saskia Rogers at age 17 in hospital after surgery as part of her treatment for cancer. Picture: supplied

Now 20, Miss Rogers has become a Youth Ambassador for Canteen, a charity that supports young people and their families dealing with cancer.

In the past financial year, Canteen has helped around 5000, with more than 100 in Tasmania.

For Miss Rogers, the support was life-changing.

“Having that extra support from someone outside of my immediate circle, who is specifically trained to help with cancer, was invaluable. I was going through a time where I didn’t really know who I was anymore,” she said.

Recently accepted into nursing school, Miss Rogers plans to specialise in helping young people battling health challenges, inspired by her own experiences.

Saskia Rogers 20 cancer survivor and youth ambassador for Canteen who are celebrating 30 years of bandanna day. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Thursday marked the 30th anniversary of Canteen’s National Bandanna Day. The charity, established in 1985 by young cancer patients, continues to be led by youth at every level of the organisation.

Janelle Cook, Executive Director of Canteen, said Bandanna Day made an important

contribution to funding ongoing research and support services provided to

thousands of young Australians every year.

“Bandanna Day is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a symbol of hope and solidarity for young

people affected by cancer,” she said.

As an ambassador for Canteen and a future nurse, Miss Rogers hopes to give back and help others through their own struggles.

“I want to be very hands-on, and I want to help people like me,” she said.

Show support at bandannaday.org.au