Viji, India

When people ask me why and how I got into cancer care I don’t really have anything profound to say to them. It was 36 years ago and I was a young mother who needed a job so my husband and I could both provide better for our two young sons. I began raising funds, moved on to Cancer Awareness and Tobacco Counseling to then working in Preventive Oncology. Today I continue to raise awareness and funds for cancer patients with focus on compliance and running Support Groups. Last year cancer came close to home and my husband was diagnosed with a very aggressive and advanced Lymphoma. I lost him in just five weeks. All my years of experience could not prepare me for this blow. Over the months since I have realised one can never be prepared for anything like this and have developed a greater understanding fo what the patients I work with and their families deal with every day. As we move ahead together to offer care , support and hone our advocacy skills I firmly believe that the only change that is required is we develop a deeper understanding of what a family requires when faced with a diagnosis of a loved one and advocate for ensuring there is Hope and Dignity for all,