Media & Public Voice

Karen Humphries is a nationally recognised author, speaker former columnist and cancer advocate, living with incurable stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma and disability.

Her voice is grounded, reflective and deeply human — shaped by nearly three decades of lived experience across chronic illness, rare cancer, survivorship and caregiving.

Karen speaks with clarity and warmth about life beyond diagnosis, identity throughout illness, survivorship, advocacy and what it truly means to live well in the face of uncertainty.

She is available for media interviews, panel discussions, podcasts and public forums.

  • Karen was the public face of the GI Cancer Trials 2024–2025 National Tax Appeal, supporting gastrointestinal cancer research across Australia.

    Her advocacy and public contribution have also been acknowledged through parliamentary recognition at Parliament for cancer survivorship support programs and cholangiocarcinoma awareness.

  • Karen is frequently invited to speak on:

    • Living with chronic illness, disability and rare cancer

    • Cancer survivorship and life beyond diagnosis

    • Identity, grief and meaning after life disruption

    • Trauma-aware wellbeing and leadership

    • Patient voice, advocacy and system-level change

    Her contributions are informed by lived experience rather than theory, and delivered with nuance, honesty and care.

  • Interviews & Podcasts

    • Kintsugi Heroes — Living in Flow, Not in Fight

    • GI Cancer Institute — Patient Voice Series

    • Pink Hope

    Print & Online

    • The Post — Regular columnist on cancer survivorship, advocacy and wellbeing

    • Rare Cancers Australia — Advocacy features

    • The NORTH Foundation — Fundraising and research impact features

  • Karen has appeared as a speaker and advocate at:

    • Event Cinemas — awareness and fundraising events

    • Relay For Life (Hornsby & Ku-ring-gai) — opening ceremony speaker

    • Community and hospital-based survivorship forums