This is John’s story. John kindly agreed to speak at our Black Tie Birthday Ball, held to celebrate our 25th birthday, in March 2026

John shared his own personal experience of coming to the Centre following his own cancer diagnosis and touched on the support that we gave his wife during her own cancer journey. He also revealed a big secret…

This is John’s speech, so you can hear his story in his own words.

“Good evening everyone,

Thank you so much for inviting me to speak tonight. When I was asked, my first thought was, “What an honour.”

My second thought was, “Of course I’ll say yes – because my wife is a trustee, and I’ve learned that some decisions are not really optional.”

So here I am – happily and wisely.

Tonight is a celebration. A celebration of resilience, compassion, and a place that quietly — and sometimes not so quietly – changes lives.

As I mentioned my wife is a trustee here, but four years ago she walked through the doors of this centre after recovering from breast cancer. Like so many people, she arrived carrying far more than a diagnosis – fear, exhaustion, and the slightly overwhelming realisation that life doesn’t always follow the plan you thought you had.

What she found here wasn’t just support. It was understanding. It was warmth. And it was people who somehow knew exactly what she needed – even on days when she didn’t.

More recently, it was my turn.

I have been involved as a volunteer for a while now. I’m going to let you into a little secret, but you have to promise me it will never leave this room. I am the Cancer Support Centre Santa. It is while I was doing my last Grotto that Jackie and Deidre asked how I was coping and suggested I just give the centre a try. I’ll be honest, I am not one to reach out for support, more a typical bloke that just bottles things up and withdraws. But something about how they spoke to me set me thinking maybe the centre can help me.

I’ve recovered from prostate cancer, and I came to this centre for counselling and aromatherapy. Now, I’ll be honest – as a man, I thought counselling meant being asked how I felt, and aromatherapy meant… being polite while pretending I understood which smell was “grounding”.

But what I found was something far more important: space. Space to breathe. Space to talk. Space where no one expected me to be “fine”, “strong”, or “getting on with it”.

And I learned very quickly that healing doesn’t always come from big, dramatic moments. Sometimes it comes from a conversation. Sometimes from quiet reassurance. And sometimes from lying on a couch thinking, “Actually… this is quite nice.”

What makes this centre so special isn’t just the services – although they are outstanding. It’s the people. The staff. The volunteers. The therapists. The ones who listen without judgement and support without pressure.

And yes – there is humour here too. Because when you’re dealing with cancer, laughter isn’t inappropriate – it’s essential. Sometimes it’s the thing that reminds you that you’re still you.

Tonight is also about gratitude.

Gratitude to everyone who supports this centre – the donors, the fundraisers, the organisers of evenings like this, and those of you who may have come for a nice night out and suddenly realised you’re also doing something very meaningful.

Because none of us ever plan to need a cancer support centre.

But when you do… you are unbelievably grateful it exists.

This centre supported my wife.

It supported me.

And it continues to support countless others – quietly, compassionately, and without fuss.

So tonight, on behalf of both of us – and on behalf of everyone who has ever walked through those doors feeling scared, overwhelmed, or unsure – thank you.

Thank you for creating a place where people feel safe.

Thank you for caring for the whole person, not just the illness.

And thank you for proving that kindness, empathy, and humanity still sit at the heart of healing.

Please enjoy the evening, celebrate generously, and keep supporting this incredible place — because what you are doing here truly changes lives.

Thank you very much, and have a wonderful night.”