When corporate burnout pushed Jolene van Wyk to change her career, she never imagined cancer would be part of her next chapter. But instead of letting it defeat her, she used her own battle to lift others, turning her journey into a mission of hope and support for fellow cancer patients.
Johannesburg South Africa (24 October 2024) – When Jolene van Wyk left her corporate career to pursue her passion for coaching, she never imagined that her path would take an unexpected turn.
At 46, a routine mammogram revealed breast cancer, setting her on a new, challenging chapter in her life. But instead of being weighed down by the diagnosis, Jolene found a unique way to pay it forward, turning her own struggle into an opportunity to uplift others.
A year after her diagnosis, Jolene has been using her skills as a certified neurocoach to support fellow cancer patients and those caring for them. Her journey of resilience now includes free motivational support sessions for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation at Netcare Milpark Hospital.
“I quickly realised that the cancer journey is initially quite a lonely and scary one – you have amazing doctors working to heal you and your loved ones supporting you at every step, but ultimately it is you facing the fight,” Jolene reflects.
“We all sit in the waiting room and smile at each other, and if we have the energy, we have short conversations while waiting for our treatment, but I wanted to create a space where we could come together and really talk about our experiences, fears, hopes, and dreams.”
Jolene’s desire to lift others seems to come naturally. After experiencing burnout in her corporate career, she took a bold step five years ago to leave the rat race. She became a certified neurocoach through the Neurocoach Institute in Pretoria and began working with mothers facing similar stress, helping them rediscover balance in their lives.
Little did she know that this same skill set would one day provide strength and support to those facing the toughest battle of their lives.
For the past six months, Jolene has extended her expertise to cancer patients, offering life coaching sessions to some of the staff she met on her journey. She also hosts monthly support sessions in the radiation unit at Netcare Milpark, creating a safe space for patients to share their fears, coping mechanisms, and approaches to staying positive.
Dr Mia Hugo, a specialist radiation oncologist at the hospital, highlights the importance of these sessions: “Radiation is often the last hurdle in treatment, and by that point, many patients are emotionally drained. Jolene’s motivational sessions provide much-needed emotional relief, helping patients find positivity and hope as they face their final stretch of treatment.”
Jolene’s sessions don’t just focus on the patients but also include carers, partners, and husbands – the unsung heroes of the cancer journey.
“Caregivers go through their own challenges and can sometimes struggle to understand the deep emotional impact that breast cancer has on their loved ones,” Jolene explains.
What makes Jolene’s story truly remarkable is her ability to turn her pain into a powerful source of hope for others. From burnout to cancer, she has transformed her challenges into something deeply positive for those around her. Her talks are not just attended but cherished by many women who feel lighter after connecting with others who truly understand.
Dr Hugo agrees, adding that the emotional support Jolene provides is invaluable: “Breast cancer treatment can be overwhelming, but access to motivational support can help patients move forward with a renewed sense of hope, knowing they are not alone.”
Jolene’s journey is far from over. She is already expanding her sessions to other Netcare hospitals, determined to spread the message of hope to as many people as possible.
For more information about upcoming breast cancer support sessions offered by Jolene van Wyk, please e-mail jolenevw767@gmail.com. You can also find Jolene on Facebook through the Radiant Cancer Thrivers Facebook Group and on Instagram at @Jolenevw.
Even in the darkest times, Jolene van Wyk is proof that there’s always light to be shared.
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