Victoria P.

I came into the oncology field by chance. In 2012, I was placed at CancerCare for my second year internship and I learned more than I ever expected. I just celebrated my 5-year anniversary and it caught me by surprise; it doesn’t feel like that long! Each day, it feels like I’m making a difference in a profound way. Making people’s lives just a tiny bit better, even if it’s just giving them a space to vent and cry—that’s why we do what we do. We’re not always able to fix everything, but we walk beside people and support them when they need it most.

I really enjoy facilitating groups at CancerCare, whether in person, over the phone or online. When group members are able to connect around a shared experience, you see a sense of relief come over them when they realize they’re not alone in their feelings and struggles. They always say you never know what it’s like to go through cancer until you’ve experienced it yourself; that’s why support groups are so helpful. I think people underestimate how powerful true understanding can be, and it’s very rewarding to witness true connections develop during the course of a support group.

The breadth of services we offer is rare; I see CancerCare as a unique resource for people to turn to when they need support, acceptance and understanding during a difficult time in their lives. The fact that we offer services in person, over the phone and online allows people to access support despite geographical, physical or financial obstacles. No matter how we connect with our clients, I am inspired by the strength and courage they show in the face of cancer. My work here has taught me how the human spirit can overcome even the most difficult challenges.