Vivienne Van Der Schuur: Global Hero of Hope (Survivor)
CANSA is proud to announce Vivienne Van Der Schuur as a Relay For Life Global Hero of Hope. Diagnosed with cancer in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vivienne’s journey began under incredibly difficult circumstances — alone in hospital, facing surgery with courage and determination. Yet even in those early moments, her strength, compassion and deep sense of purpose shone through. Vivienne shares her story with us:
“I was diagnosed in 2020 . I chose to have a mastectomy and I was called on my birthday – the 3rd of April – during Covid, to let me know I have to come in as they have theatre time. That is where my journey began, alone and scared in hospital. I was with six other patients in the ward at the time and this is where my passion for the cause started. My children and grandchildren carried me through and I wanted to show them that there is always hope. Before my journey with cancer I became a carer to my mom who had vulva cancer.
I started volunteering at CANSA after I was diagnosed however, CANSA has empowered me to help my family diagnosed after me with information, and patient care support services.
I have been the Survivor chair for CANSA Relay For Life Mitchells Plain for the past three years. Being involved in Relay means that I can show others that cancer is not a death sentence. There is hope, there is help and there is so much to celebrate. I fight back against this disease by pledging by educating others.”
