The quest against the Big C

A life-changing diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma not only gave Vanessa Chang a new appreciation of life, but also a desire to help others through her passion for biomedical science and cancer research.

Vanessa Chang is living the life she once thought she would never have.

Born in Kolkata, India, Vanessa was in her first year of an honours degree in microbiology when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma nodular sclerosis stage IIBX.

The diagnosis changed her life forever.

“I was told I had the best type of curable cancer. My doctor told me that if I was mentally ready to fight this, half the battle was already won,” Vanessa says.

After 12 rounds of chemotherapy and two weeks of radiation later, Vanessa was in remission.

She describes her journey as traumatic yet eye-opening. “Every day is a blessing and I am so glad I have had the opportunity to study and now do something for others with cancer through my work.”

Every day is a blessing and I am so glad I have had the opportunity to study and now do something for others with cancer through my work.

Vanessa Chang Doctoral Candidate, School of Medical Sciences

Vanessa moved to Auckland in 2011 to undertake a Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Sciences.

This year she has submitted her PhD thesis in Biomedical Sciences on the characterisation of mycobacterial membrane vesicles, supported by a University scholarship. Vanessa also works in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences as a Technician/Organiser at the Hub for Extracellular Vesicle Investigations (HEVI) and on a Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) Research Grant.

“My aim is to develop a device which can monitor breast cancer treatment and recurrence, and I feel extremely privileged to be a part of cancer research in some way".

My aim is to develop a device which can monitor breast cancer treatment and recurrence.

Vanessa Chang

Vanessa also reflects on her journey and the effect it had on her family as well.

“The journey was just as hard for my parents and older sister as it was for me. It’s very hard for the people supporting a cancer patient/survivor.

"This year I am to participating in the Relay for Life 2020 and I want to dedicate it to all those grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and carers because they are survivors too!” 

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