Cancer Council NSW logo
13 11 20 Information & Support
Give monthly
Menu
  • Cancer Information
    • By cancer type
      • Bowel cancer
      • Blood cancers
      • Breast cancer
      • Lung cancer
      • Melanoma
      • Prostate cancer
      • View 26 other cancers
    • General information
      • What is cancer?
      • When you are first diagnosed
      • Cancer treatment
      • Managing side effects
      • Living well
      • Practical concerns
      • Advanced cancer
    • How can we help you?
      • Carers
      • Family and friends
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • Schools and teachers
    • More resources
      • Understanding Cancer books
      • Podcast: The Thing About Cancer
      • Podcast: The Thing About Advanced Cancer
      • Cancer Information Services
      • Cancer information for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
  • Get Support
    • How can we help you
      • 13 11 20 – Speak to a cancer professional
      • Connect with others
      • Cancer Counselling
      • Pro Bono Program
      • Financial Assistance
      • Transport to cancer treatment
      • Accommodation during cancer treatment
      • Support for cancer survivors
    • More information
      • Information for health professionals
      • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • LGBTI
      • Cancer and COVID-19 in NSW
      • Webinars
  • Cancer Prevention
    • By topic
      • Alcohol
      • Diet and exercise
      • Screening and early detection
      • Smoking
      • Sun protection
    • Programs
      • SunSmart NSW website
      • Improve your long game
      • Tackling Tobacco
  • Research
    • By Topic
      • Research we conduct
      • Research we fund
      • Information for researchers
      • Community Involvement in Research
    • Quick links
      • Search research by cancer type or topic
      • Research Grant Applications
      • Research Achievements
  • Get Involved
    • How will you get involved
      • Volunteer with us
      • Work with us
      • Fundraise for us
      • Partner with us
      • Campaign with us
      • Shop with us
    • Quick Links
      • Events calendar
      • Request a Cancer Council Talk
      • Share your story
      • Supporter Recognition
  • Donate
    • Donate today
    • Donate monthly
    • Donate in memory
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • More ways to donate
  • Cancer Information
    • By cancer type
      • Bowel cancer
      • Blood cancers
      • Breast cancer
      • Lung cancer
      • Melanoma
      • Prostate cancer
      • View 26 other cancers
    • General information
      • What is cancer?
      • When you are first diagnosed
      • Cancer treatment
      • Managing side effects
      • Living well
      • Practical concerns
      • Advanced cancer
    • How can we help you?
      • Carers
      • Family and friends
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • Schools and teachers
    • More resources
      • Understanding Cancer books
      • Podcast: The Thing About Cancer
      • Podcast: The Thing About Advanced Cancer
      • Cancer Information Services
      • Cancer information for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
  • Get Support
    • How can we help you
      • 13 11 20 – Speak to a cancer professional
      • Connect with others
      • Cancer Counselling
      • Pro Bono Program
      • Financial Assistance
      • Transport to cancer treatment
      • Accommodation during cancer treatment
      • Support for cancer survivors
    • More information
      • Information for health professionals
      • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • LGBTI
      • Cancer and COVID-19 in NSW
      • Webinars
  • Cancer Prevention
    • By topic
      • Alcohol
      • Diet and exercise
      • Screening and early detection
      • Smoking
      • Sun protection
    • Programs
      • SunSmart NSW website
      • Improve your long game
      • Tackling Tobacco
  • Research
    • By Topic
      • Research we conduct
      • Research we fund
      • Information for researchers
      • Community Involvement in Research
    • Quick links
      • Search research by cancer type or topic
      • Research Grant Applications
      • Research Achievements
  • Get Involved
    • How will you get involved
      • Volunteer with us
      • Work with us
      • Fundraise for us
      • Partner with us
      • Campaign with us
      • Shop with us
    • Quick Links
      • Events calendar
      • Request a Cancer Council Talk
      • Share your story
      • Supporter Recognition
  • Donate
    • Donate today
    • Donate monthly
    • Donate in memory
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • More ways to donate
  • Home
  • About Cancer Council NSW
  • Who we are
  • Carla Janssen

Carla Janssen

Carla Janssen
Carla Janssen became a dragon-fighting warrior princess after an unexpected encounter with a scary dragon (cancer) that started in 2013. In the battle that followed she lost all her hair and a body part. In 2015 Carla and her family created a 3-minute video. The video weaves together the family's experience with breast cancer and the impact this had on their family, together with the story Carla told her children about fighting the dragon. When she isn’t fighting dragons, Carla can often be found in a park or playground in the Sutherland Shire watching her children kick a ball around, in the local library trying to find books on the periodic table, sharks or garden fairies, or in her kitchen preparing yet another a family meal.

Recent articles by Carla

04 Jul 2016 Carla Janssen

The true story of how I became a dragon fighting warrior princess

The start of my journey: a shocking diagnosis Christmas Eve 2013, 2pm. I turn on the TV for my three little kids so I wo...
Read more
  • About us
  • News & Media
  • Cancer Council Shop
  • Contact us
  • Work with us
  • Privacy and website policies
Aboriginal Daffodil logo

Cancer Council NSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Registered Charity (ACNC)

© Cancer Council NSW 2021. Cancer Council NSW is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity: Charitable Fundraising Authority No. 18521. ABN 51 116 463 846. Cancer Council NSW, 153 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.