Meet our Southern Cancer Society Relay For Life ambassador – Jen Simon

25 March 2025

Jen Simon is just 32-year-old and she’s already in the fight of her life battling grade 4 Anaplastic Astrocytoma, a rare form of brain cancer.

After Jen was diagnosed in 2020, she went looking for help and found the Cancer Society a great source of support. So impressed with their efforts, she wanted to help them in the work they do – supporting people diagnosed with cancer and their families.

“I am honoured to be working alongside them as their partner with Relay for Life to celebrate the lives of cancer patients and their caregivers, remember those we have lost, and continue the fight against cancer.

“If we fight together, we are stronger. And Relay for Life is such a fun event.”

Jen lived in Texas until she was 18 and then moved to New Orleans for four years of university. All up she’s lived in four countries, but New Zealand is the only place that feels like home. She lives here with her partner of seven years, Doug Barrett.

When her brain cancer was detected, it was already grade 3. Doug was with her, and her parents were waiting for a visa to come to New Zealand.

“This was during COVID so there were a lot of restrictions that caused a lot of stress for my family.”

Jen said what was great about the Cancer Society Southern, was having a place to spend time with people in similar situations. Even if they didn’t hold deep conversations, just sitting in a room with other people battling or surviving cancer made me feel less isolated.

Jen still attends the monthly group meeting, crafting, and weekly Unipol gym.

Jen said she became an ambassador for Relay for Life because she wanted to be part of a team that does everything it can to help other people.

“Reaching out to people who need support and guidance through tough times is one of the best things people can do,” she said.