Welcome to Next Of Kin

2 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 4 days ago, I got one of 'those' calls...

My Dad had been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue (mesothelium) around internal organs, like the pleura that sits around the lungs - where Dad’s is.

Within 48 hours we were on a plane from Sydney to Perth to walk through whatever was to come, together. Little time was promised, and while we’re grateful for every extra day, week, month and year we’ve had, nothing could’ve prepared us for the fragmented experience we (and more so, he) has had in one of the ‘best’ healthcare systems in the world. As his carer, I’ve had a front-row seat into a sector I’ve spent my career working in, but never fully understood - until now. 

As our society ages, bringing with it a tsunami of care needs, more and more families will be required to step into the role of carer and what it means to truly be Next Of Kin. Dad and I have spent hours talking about these systemic shortcomings, and I spend most of my time thinking about how we can fix them. So we’ve created a space to share the journey and help us all navigate love, care and loss a little better. 

Here, you’ll bear witness to what we learn, love and lament as we navigate life, death and what lies in the space between (spoiler alert: more tears than we want, more laughs than you’d think and the occasional well-earned Campari and soda). 

Join us for the ride of a lifetime, literally.