Our Advisors share how lived experience helps shape better cancer care
At SMICS, our Lived Experience Advisors play a vital role in shaping and improving cancer care across the southern Melbourne region. By drawing on their personal experiences as patients and carers, they help ensure cancer services remain patient‑centred, coordinated and responsive.
In this article, current Lived Experience Advisors Vivienne Interrigi, Debbie Packham and Jane Williams share what it’s like to be part of SMICS and contribute to our program of work.
SMICS Lived Experience Advisors Debbie Packaham and Vivienne Interrigi at the 2025 SMICS Annual Forum.
Vivienne Interrigi – SMICS Lived Experience Advisor
For Vivienne Interrigi, being a Lived Experience Advisor has been a deeply meaningful way to give back. She describes how working with SMICS has allowed her to transform what can be an isolating cancer experience into something constructive, while helping improve patient navigation and care coordination. Vivienne values the opportunity to have her voice genuinely heard and to contribute to system‑wide improvements that give hope to people affected by cancer.
‘Being part of SMICS has been deeply meaningful. Personally, it’s about giving back. Cancer can feel incredibly isolating, but working with SMICS has allowed me to transform that experience into something constructive. I’m truly grateful for the opportunities SMICS has provided—not just to me, but to all consumers over the years—to have a voice in improving patient navigation through the cancer care system. The collaboration, empathy, and unwavering commitment to enhancing cancer services have made me feel not just heard, but genuinely valued. Professionally, this journey has shaped how I articulate what matters most in my work. It’s taught me to be precise and intentional, while always leading with compassion and empathy. I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue learning and growing—as a SMICS consumer, as a Monash Health consumer, as Chair of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), and as a member of the Victorian Cancer Advisory Committee (VCAC). One moment that stands out was contributing to the 2024–2025 SMICS Funding Program. Sharing my lived experience as a patient to support the grants process was incredibly powerful. It gave me hope—hope in the innovative, impactful projects being developed for cancer patients, and hope that one day, cancer will no longer steal our lives or the precious time we have with our loved ones. I am deeply grateful for SMICS—for the care, the opportunity, and most of all, the vision of a cancer-free world.’
Debbie Packham – SMICS Lived Experience Advisor
Debbie Packham reflects on the importance of improving integration and coordination of cancer services. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, Debbie brings valuable insight to SMICS projects and grant programs, where she has seen first‑hand the dedication of staff working to make cancer treatment easier and more supportive. Her goal is to help make the treatment journey smoother for others now and into the future.
‘I have loved being able to have an input, via SMICS, to improving cancer care, and the integration of services, for people needing cancer treatments. I have particularly enjoyed being involved with the SMICS grant program, as it gave me the opportunity to appreciate the caring staff who want to make cancer treatment better and easier. I feel that all the SMICS projects and working groups that I have been involved with, have listened and considered my thoughts and ideas. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, which required chemotherapy for 6 months, 2 lots of surgery, and radiation therapy. Whilst my treatment went smoothly, assisted by the amazing staff at Monash Moorabbin Hospital, not everyone has the same experience that I did. My goal with all my interactions with SMICS and Monash Health is to hopefully make the treatment path smoother, better, and easier for others now and in the future.’
Jane Williams – SMICS Lived Experience Advisor
Jane Williams highlights the complexity of cancer treatment and the critical role of coordination across services. Through her long‑term involvement with SMICS, Jane has been particularly impressed by the focus on linking evidence, clinical practice and patient experience to improve outcomes for patients and families.
‘Cancer treatment and care is often a complex, lengthy experience involving several clinical specialties. Coordination of this is crucial—not only because it helps patients and families manage through the experience, but because outcomes are likely to be enhanced through carefully structured systems of care. During the many years I have been involved in SMICS as a Consumer Advisor, one of the areas I have been particularly impressed by is the focus on facilitating treatment and care coordination. It is key to linking evidence, clinical practice, and patient experience.’
SMICS is currently seeking new Lived Experience Advisors to volunteer their expertise and help guide our program of work. If this role interests you, we’d love to hear from you.
