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Staff Stories - Natika

Cancer has touched my family in ways I never truly understood—until it did.

It’s one of those things you hear about, something that happens to other people… until suddenly, it’s your people. And once you know, everything changes. You’re left with uncertainty, fear, and a quiet hope that somehow things will be okay.

For me, this journey became very real in July 2024. 

Stories are very long but i’ll try keep it short, 

My grandfather—my Nonno, my best friend, my cheerleader & my role model —was overseas in Italy visiting family when he first started feeling unwell. It began with pain in his shoulder, his arm and his head. At the time, it didn’t seem like something that would turn our world upside down. But as the weeks went on, the pain only got worse.

When he returned home to Australia, he went through testing, hoping for answers. Instead, we received news no family is ever prepared for—he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

From that moment on, everything changed.

But if you knew my Nonno, you’d know this: he didn’t let cancer define him. He fought with everything he had. He stayed strong for us, always smiling, always making jokes, always putting on a brave face—even on the hardest days. That was just who he was. Full of life, full of love, and always thinking of others before himself.

He carried that strength right through until the end.

In December 2024, we lost him.

Losing him has left a space in our family that can never truly be filled. But what he gave us—his strength, his love, his resilience—that will stay with us forever.

Cancer doesn’t just affect one person. It affects families, friendships, entire support systems. It changes you.

And that’s why today matters.

Today is about remembering, honouring, and supporting. It’s about standing together, sharing stories, and raising awareness so that one day, fewer families have to experience this kind of loss.

Because once you know… you never forget.

Staff Stories - Andy

We are all connected to cancer is some way or another, my connection began when I was only 17.
Coming into the biggest year of my life with HSC and turning 18, I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my left knee.
This led me to Sydney's RPA Hospital for multiple sessions of intense chemotherapy and surgery that left me with a titanium left hip, full femur and knee.
Life threw me a curveball, however I learnt never to take life for granted. Ill continue to give everyday my best shot!

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