Lived Experience - Behind the Technology: How Volunteers Help Make Every Patient Count: Episode 3 with Adri Faasen & host Dr Belinda Wagner

Technology may operate behind the scenes, but the people behind it can have a profound impact on the lives of people affected by cancer.In Episode 3 of the Living with Cancer South Africa Lived Experience Podcast Series, Dr Belinda Wagner speaks to Adri Faasen, a technology volunteer who works in cybersecurity and threat intelligence.Adri shares why she chose to use her professional skills to support Living with Cancer South Africa and how her role has helped strengthen the organisation’s approach to cybersecurity, information security and the protection of sensitive patient information.As Living with Cancer South Africa continues to build South Africa’s first patient-led cancer registry, protecting the information entrusted to us is critical. Adri explains why patient data must be treated with care and respect, and whysecurity needs to be considered from the moment information is collected.But this conversation goes far beyond technology. Adrireflects on what volunteering has taught her about cancer, the experiences that have stayed with her and the importance of remembering that behind every piece of data is a person. She also explores the potential of artificial intelligence and digital innovation to make healthcare more accessible, efficient andresponsive, while reminding us that technology can never replace human connection.Her message to other professionals is simple: you do not need endless amounts of time to make a difference. Your knowledge, experience and professional skills can become powerful tools for social impact.As Adri says, “Every volunteer counts, every person counts.”Whether your expertise is in technology, cybersecurity, marketing, finance, project management or another professional field, there is an opportunity to use what you know to help make a difference.Listen to Adri’s conversation and discover what canhappen when professional expertise meets purpose

In this heartfelt episode of the Living with Cancer South Africa Podcast, Dr Belinda Wagner speaks with Colleen King, whose cancer journey is a powerful reminder that while every diagnosis is unique, no one should have to face it alone. Drawing on both her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor and her professional background as an intensive care nurse, Colleen shares the emotional reality of receiving herdiagnosis, the challenges of treatment, and the unexpected impact cancer had on her life.Colleen also speaks openly about the value of finding a community that understands. She explains how joining Livingwith Cancer South Africa connected her with others who had walked a similar path, offering encouragement, reassurance and hope when it was needed most. This conversation is an honest and uplifting reminder that cancer may change your life, but it can also reveal resilience, compassion and the extraordinary power of human connection.

Some cancer journeys are long and marked by months of treatment. Others unfold with astonishing speed, changing life in a matter of weeks. In this heartfelt episode of What Cancer Reveals, Chantel Singh shares her experience of being diagnosed with cervical cancer after years of abnormal test results, unexpected symptoms and the discovery of a tumour that changed everything. Although her treatment consisted of surgery rather than chemotherapy or radiation, Chantal explains that a cancer diagnosis affects every part of your life. From the shock of hearing the word "cancer" to facing the loss of future dreams and learning to live with uncertainty, she reflects honestly on the emotional impact of her diagnosis.Throughout the conversation, Chantal speaks openly about the fears she faced, the importance of faith, and how strength is not something we always find within ourselves, but often something we borrow from others. She shares how the Living with Cancer South Africa support community became far more than a support group. It became a family that stood beside her during the moments when she needed encouragement, understanding and hope.  This episode also highlights the importance of cervical cancer awareness, regular screening and Human Papillomavirus vaccination, reminding listeners that early detection cansave lives.Most importantly, Chantel leaves us with a powerful message for anyone facing cancer today: you do not have to walk this journey alone. Hope often begins with a conversation, a shared story and the knowledge that someone else understands exactly what you are going through.Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, faith,family, community and discovering hope through shared experiences.

At 24 years old, Caitlin Carpenter was building her future,studying towards her law degree, working full time and planning the next chapter of her life when everything changed with a cancer diagnosis.In this episode of Lived Experience, Caitlin shares the reality of facing Hodgkin's Lymphoma as a young adult and the profound impact it had on her education, career plans, friendships, independence and future aspirations.She speaks candidly about the isolation of watching peers move forward while life is placed on hold, navigating conversations about dating and the future, and confronting mortality at an age when most people feel invincible.The conversation explores the unique challenges younger cancer patients face, including the assumptions others make about young people with cancer, the emotional impact of disrupted life plans and the gaps that still exist in support for younger adults navigating diagnosis and treatment.Through honesty, humour and remarkable resilience, Caitlin offers valuable insight into what it means to be young and diagnosed, reminding us that cancer does not only affect health. It changes timelines, expectations and the future we imagine for ourselves.Lived Experience is a podcast series by Living with Cancer SA, sharing the authentic voices of patients, survivors and caregivers to create greater understanding, connection and hope.

At 24 years old, Caitlin Carpenter was building her future,studying towards her law degree, working full time and planning the next chapter of her life when everything changed with a cancer diagnosis.In this episode of Lived Experience, Caitlin shares the reality of facing Hodgkin's Lymphoma as a young adult and the profound impact it had on her education, career plans, friendships, independence and future aspirations.She speaks candidly about the isolation of watching peers move forward while life is placed on hold, navigating conversations about dating and the future, and confronting mortality at an age when most people feel invincible.The conversation explores the unique challenges younger cancer patients face, including the assumptions others make about young people with cancer, the emotional impact of disrupted life plans and the gaps that still exist in support for younger adults navigating diagnosis and treatment.Through honesty, humour and remarkable resilience, Caitlin offers valuable insight into what it means to be young and diagnosed, reminding us that cancer does not only affect health. It changes timelines, expectations and the future we imagine for ourselves.Lived Experience is a podcast series by Living with Cancer SA, sharing the authentic voices of patients, survivors and caregivers to create greater understanding, connection and hope.

In this moving episode of What Cancer Reveals About Patient to Purpose, Dr Belinda Wagner speaks with Barrie van den Berg, Director of Living with Cancer South Africa, about a journey that transformed both his life and his purpose.Having spent many years working in the pharmaceutical industry supporting cancer treatment, Barrie understood cancer from a clinical perspective long before receiving his own prostate cancer diagnosis. Becoming a patient changed everything. It taught him that cancer is never just a disease.It is a deeply personal journey that affects families, relationships and entire support networks.Barrie reflects on what it means to move from treating cancer as a medical condition to understanding the human experience behind every diagnosis.He shares how his own experience strengthened his commitment to patient advocacy, why no one should face cancer alone, and how volunteering with Living with Cancer South Africa has become part of his own healing journey.This episode is a powerful reminder that every patient deserves to be seen as a person, that hope grows through community, and that purpose can emerge from even life's most difficult challenges.Whether you are living with cancer, supporting someone you love, or working in healthcare, this conversation offers encouragement, wisdom and a reminder that together we can change the cancer journey.Learn more about Living with Cancer South Africa andjoin our growing community at https://livingwithcancersa.co.za.

Cancer does not only affect the person diagnosed. It ripplesthrough families, friendships and entire support networks, leaving loved onesto navigate fear, uncertainty, helplessness and hope alongside the patient. Inthis deeply moving conversation, Belinda Wagner speaks with Moira about theexperience of watching those she loves face cancer, including her father,grandson, daughter-in-law and brother.Together, they explore the emotional weight of witnessingsuffering, the challenge of wanting to fix what cannot be fixed, and theprofound lesson of learning to simply be present. Through stories of family,faith, resilience and love, this episode reveals how cancer can strengthenrelationships, deepen compassion and remind us that sometimes the greatest giftwe can offer is not to rescue, but to hold space.A powerful conversation about hope, faith, love and the courage towalk beside those we love through life's most difficult journeys.

In Episode 6 of the What Cancer Reveals podcast series, Dr BelindaWagner speaks with Natalie Singer about her deeply personal journey through arare gastric blood cancer diagnosis and the emotional reality of navigatingtreatment while trying to maintain control over work, family and everyday life.Natalie shares how her diagnosis challenged her identity as ahigh-performing, independent and self-sufficient person, forcing her toconfront the difficult lessons of surrender, vulnerability and accepting help.From balancing motherhood and a demanding career during treatment, to theemotional impact of uncertainty, delayed results and scan anxiety, this episodeexplores the hidden mental and emotional weight that often accompanies cancer.Through honest reflection, Natalie speaks about resilience, thepressure many people place on themselves to “keep going”, and the importance ofgiving yourself grace during difficult seasons. This conversation is a powerfulreminder that cancer does not only reveal physical vulnerability, it revealswho we are beneath the strength we show the world. In Episode 6 of the What Cancer Reveals podcast series, Dr BelindaWagner speaks with Natalie Singer about her deeply personal journey through arare gastric blood cancer diagnosis and the emotional reality of navigatingtreatment while trying to maintain control over work, family and everyday life.Natalie shares how her diagnosis challenged her identity as ahigh-performing, independent and self-sufficient person, forcing her toconfront the difficult lessons of surrender, vulnerability and accepting help.From balancing motherhood and a demanding career during treatment, to theemotional impact of uncertainty, delayed results and scan anxiety, this episodeexplores the hidden mental and emotional weight that often accompanies cancer.Through honest reflection, Natalie speaks about resilience, thepressure many people place on themselves to “keep going”, and the importance ofgiving yourself grace during difficult seasons. This conversation is a powerfulreminder that cancer does not only reveal physical vulnerability, it revealswho we are beneath the strength we show the world. 

In Episode 6 of the What Cancer Reveals podcast series, Dr BelindaWagner speaks with Natalie Singer about her deeply personal journey through arare gastric blood cancer diagnosis and the emotional reality of navigatingtreatment while trying to maintain control over work, family and everyday life.Natalie shares how her diagnosis challenged her identity as ahigh-performing, independent and self-sufficient person, forcing her toconfront the difficult lessons of surrender, vulnerability and accepting help.From balancing motherhood and a demanding career during treatment, to theemotional impact of uncertainty, delayed results and scan anxiety, this episodeexplores the hidden mental and emotional weight that often accompanies cancer.Through honest reflection, Natalie speaks about resilience, thepressure many people place on themselves to “keep going”, and the importance ofgiving yourself grace during difficult seasons. This conversation is a powerfulreminder that cancer does not only reveal physical vulnerability, it revealswho we are beneath the strength we show the world. 

In this powerful episode of What Cancer Reveals, Anton shares his journey following his diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma in 2021 and Stage 1 kidney cancer in 2022. He speaks openly about the physical impact of cancer, the dramatic weight loss he experienced, the importance of support, and the reality of navigating a healthcare system that does not always fully capture patient experiences.This episode explores the gaps in cancer data, the patients who become invisible within the system, and why accurate patient stories matter for care, policy, funding and advocacy.A conversation about survival, resilience, gratitude and the importance of ensuring every cancer story counts.