World Cancer Day: A Personal Reflection on Loss, Support and the Role We Play at Work

Written by Malin Kelly

Today is World Cancer Day, a day marked globally to raise awareness, improve education, and inspire action in the fight against cancer. It is a time to stand in solidarity with those affected, honour the memories of loved ones we have lost, and reflect on how each one of us can make a difference, through compassion, understanding, and support in our everyday lives.

For me, as for many others, this day and the experience of cancer is personal. In just two weeks’ time, it will be 17 years since I lost my dad to oesophagus cancer. Seventeen years sounds like a long time, but grief does not work to a calendar. The memories are vivid of flights home to Sweden, hospital visits, the moments of hope, not to mention the heartbreak. Cancer does not just affect the person diagnosed; it ripples through families, friends, and communities, leaving a mark that time does not fully erase.

While grief is deeply personal, one thing II have learned is that support can make all the difference. And this does not only apply within families, but is just as important in the workplace. Many of us work alongside colleagues who are quietly navigating their own battles, whether it is managing a diagnosis themselves or caring for a loved one who is ill. They may not always speak about it, but it is there, just beneath the surface.

So, how can we be more supportive at work?

Empathy Over Assumptions: Do not assume someone is okay just because they are showing up and getting the job done. A simple “How are you, really?” can open the door to meaningful conversations.

Flexibility Matters: Whether it is flexible working hours, time off for appointments, or understanding when someone is not at their best – small accommodations can ease enormous burdens.

Create Safe Spaces: Not everyone wants to talk about what they are going through, and that is okay. But knowing they can, without fear of judgment or professional repercussions, is powerful.

Lead with Compassion: If you are in a leadership role, remember that your approach sets the tone. Prioritising people’s well-being is not just good for morale; it is the right thing to do.

World Cancer Day is about more than raising awareness; it is about action. While we cannot always change the outcome of a diagnosis, we can change the experience people have as they go through it. We can be kinder. We can listen more. We can show up.

To anyone reading this who has lost someone to cancer, who is currently supporting a loved one, or who is fighting their own battle – you are seen, you are not alone, and you matter.

#WorldCancerDay #Support #WorkplaceWellbeing #EmpathyInAction #CancerAwareness #oesophaguscancer #ModigCS #FuckCancer