Life after cancer is tough, but there’s a way through By Lou James, Founder of PINC & STEEL

For many people, finishing cancer treatment feels like it should mark the end of a difficult chapter. But for some, it’s only the start of a new one: rebuilding their life.

Cancer often leaves more than physical scars; it can fundamentally change a person’s life, even long after remission. But while the emotional and physical impact can run deep, rehabilitation offers a way through. With the right support, people don’t just recover, they can learn to live again.

Putting your body back together after invasive treatment, carrying the invisible trauma of what some describe as a betrayal by their own body and feeling isolated from those who haven’t been through the same thing - these are the quiet, often overlooked parts of the cancer experience.

That’s why I founded PINC & STEEL, to help people rebuild their lives after cancer. It’s the part of the journey no one talks about. The hair might grow back. They might “look good” on the outside. But many still struggle physically, emotionally, financially and socially. Some experience chronic fatigue, nerve damage, or loss of mobility. Others face anxiety, financial stress, or a sense of isolation. These challenges are real, but with the right kind of care, they are also solvable.

At PINC & STEEL, we help people feel strong again, reconnect with themselves and return to the activities they once loved, whether that’s playing with their kids, going back to work, or simply walking without pain. That’s where Dry July comes in. The funds raised during Dry July are vital in helping people access the care they need after cancer, funding the rehabilitation services we provide. As of 2022, over 123,000 people in New Zealand were living with cancer or had been diagnosed within the previous five years.

PINC & STEEL helps bridge the gap in support. We offer access to services like tailored exercise classes, so people can recover safely. As they regain strength, mobility and confidence, their emotional healing will often follow. We’ve helped parents regain the energy to cheer their kids on at soccer games, teenagers reconnect with their peers and feel like themselves again, older adults regain independence, and former breadwinners rebuild their identity. While a doctor might tell a teenager they’re in remission, that doesn’t always mean they feel like celebrating. They may still be struggling physically, have lost contact with friends, or feel guilty about the financial impact their care has had on their family. We help them get back to being a kid - to laugh, move, and socialise again - and for adults, our programmes not only rebuild strength and stamina, but also offer something just as important: a community of people who get it.

Cancer may take away a lot. But with the right support, rehabilitation can give it back.

To learn more and PINC & STEEL cancer support services visit pincandsteel.com