Share, help others, give back, be heard
If you or a loved one have had a cancer diagnosis you have ‘lived experience’ which gives your feedback weight and collectively, can influence change, which is an invaluable thing.
While Victoria has some of the best cancer survival outcomes in the world, there are still differences in cancer treatment and inequities in patient experience and survival.
Cancer Council is working to improve cancer outcomes for all Victorians, but we can’t do this alone and need your help. By joining our Community Advisory Network, you get the opportunity to use your experience and be involved in activities that aim to improve the cancer experience for others.
Community Advisory Network
I like getting involved at various levels of the organisation as it helps me understand how the organisation works. It also stimulates my brain. I want to ensure that the organisation hears the voice of the consumer and community whenever they undertake any activity.”
Naveena, Community Advisory Network member
Our Community Advisory Network has over 140 members who have either had a cancer diagnosis themselves or who have cared for someone who has.
With a range of cancer and treatment experiences, all members have joined so they can use their personal experience to give back, inform the work we do and help to see improved cancer outcomes for other Victorians.
Ways to get involved may include:
- sharing your story to illustrate your experience with health or support services
- providing feedback on our cancer information or support services
- informing research funding decision-making
- participating in discussion groups on important issues
- sharing insights to support our policy and advocacy activities
- speaking at events or in some cases doing an interview with media
- joining committees that steer our programs and research.
Register your details and we’ll be in touch with opportunities to get involved .
Get involved
Issues we’re tackling
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve had cancer yourself, having family members with cancer affects you, your family and your friends. By volunteering my time, I feel I can help others”.
Sandra, Community Advisory Network member
Through our policy and advocacy activities we work with clinicians, researchers, community members, governments and policy makers, non-government organisations and cancer agencies to highlight key areas of need and inequity.
Our priorities for urgent action focus on improving outcomes in prevention, early detection, treatment, support and research for all Victorians and include:
- providing equitable access to treatment and supportive care
- reducing the cost of cancer
- preventing and detecting cancer early
- improving access to clinical trials.
Learn more about ways you can get involved with our policy and advocacy work here.
Cancer stories
AFTER being diagnosed with young onset colorectal cancer (YOCRC) three years ago, Emma Barrance-Kelly is helping improve cancer outcomes for others.
Read more
Vicki was diagnosed with aggressive stage 1 lung cancer and her life quickly spiralled as the costs of treatment built up. A call with our financial counsellor was one of the most important calls of her life.
Read more
Everyone finds their own way of working through a cancer journey. For Kate, there were two: writing and Relaying.
Read more
Gay knows all too well what it means to be a cancer carer, having cared for two partners through their diagnoses. And while being a cancer carer is never easy, for Gay it came with an extra burden: her own cancer diagnosis.
Read more
Cervical screening found Karina's cancer early, when successful treatment was possible. Now, she's using her experience to encourage others to screen regularly.
Read more
Carol was 72 when a regular mammogram revealed a lump and she was diagnosed with HER2 breast cancer. She's faced financial stress as a result of her diagnosis but reached out to Cancer Council for help.
Read more
Kane died of a rare form of lymphoma when he was 13 years old. His mother Natalie wants cancer research to find new treatments so other families don't have to suffer.
Read more
Jenny has remained warm and vibrant through the hardship of supporting two loved ones on their cancer journeys. She is now leaving a gift in her Will to honour their lives and memories.
Read more
Exercise is the last thing most cancer patients want to do after chemotherapy. But for Ebony, a mum of two and a Walking Star, it helped her through her ordeal with breast cancer.
Read more
Many cancer patients and their carers have big concerns over how COVID-19 might affect them. Fortunately, there’s a vital line of support still available to help them through this tough time.
Read more
Thanks to successful treatment and the support of his family, Trent made it through two encounters with cancer. The experience has made him more open to stepping out of his comfort zone and speaking his mind.
Read more
In February this year, Emma's busy life was about to change. Shockingly, the mother of two was diagnosed with breast cancer, then soon afterwards, COVID-19 hit Victoria.
Read more
Jarryd Roughead, AFL legend and melanoma cancer patient has shared a video message about his recent experience using telehealth for his latest consultation.
Read more
“We even have people in their 70’s embracing the new technology and are now enthusiastic about the video calls.”
Read more
Jo-Anne was only 32 and a single mum to a seven-year-old when she was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of sinus cancer. She was only the 54th person in the world to be diagnosed with this cancer called sinonasal glomangiopericytoma.
Read more