Albert Einstein wrote "A life lived for others is the only life worth living".

Beauty can be found in the most unexpected places; oncology is one of those unexpected places in life. Cancer in its most devastating form can bring families together, to shine a light on the strongest souls, and strip us from any mask or pretence to the most bare and honest forms of humanity. It is an experience where people understand the value of life, time, and love.

Personally, I feel there is no greater privilege in life than to be part of these journeys.

When people are faced with physical illness, it is often their mental and spiritual strength that sustains them during these trying times. It is a space where people stop and evaluate life and decide what is truly important to them. These are life changing moments where we have the opportunity in assisting and supporting people in their loneliest and often most confusing times.

After my personal journey with cancer with a parent, early in my career, it has only strengthened my desire to assist patients and families, often left with questions and tremendous losses.

Serving in oncology is not a profession, it is a way of life for me.

Nadia has a keen interest in mental health and believes that it is an underestimated and stigmatised topic. These perspectives often leave people feeling isolated and contributes to exacerbating fears and increasing trauma, especially when considered in a context where people feel that their lives are at risk, not only their health. In Oncology there is no limit to the amount of emotional support patients and families need for them to feel safe and cared for.

Psycho-oncology aim at creating a safe space for patients and families to express fears, explore journeys and ultimately conquering life regardless of the outcome.

Nadia graduated with an Honour's degree in Social Work at department of Social Work and Criminology in 2010, at the University of Pretoria, and achieved an Honours degree in Psychology at Unisa in 2012. She further completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Palliative Medicine at UCT in 2018.

Nadia has served as Vice-Chairperson of the South African Oncology Social Work Forum between 2018 and 2022 and has presented at the SASMO/ SASCRO congress, in 2017, on the management of Complicated Grief. She has been a speaker at CANSA support groups as well as the Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease support groups.

Nadia consults as an Oncology Counsellor at the Sandton Oncology and the West Rand Oncology Centres.