An inspiring cancer survivor, Vanessa Perumal, has touched our hearts after celebrating 5 years of being cancer-free by opening her home and her heart to strangers touched by her journey or navigating their own challenges.
Johannesburg, South Africa (25 May 2025) – It’s been a remarkable five years since cancer survivor, Vanessa Perumal, fought her bravest battle. Though she may have lost her vocal cords, she discovered how deeply communication and connection extend beyond words.
Vanessa chose to celebrate five years of being cancer-free in one of the most unconventional yet profound ways, by opening her home to strangers.
With a spontaneous invitation sent across diverse channels just 36 hours before her celebration on 13 May, Vanessa soon found herself breaking bread, celebrating the gift of life and good health among nearly three dozen people, some of whom she had never even met before.
In a video, Vanessa showcased how her home became the warmest and most inviting space for people, either touched by her journey or going through their own struggles and needing some form of human support.
“Humans deserve and need each other, not just virtually but also meeting in real life, Vanessa shared in her post.
Reflecting on the special night, which touched her soul far deeper than she had imagined it would, Vanessa said the experience revealed five profound lessons to her:
- Strangers will show up for you
- Community is right next door
- Memories matter. Create them in real life
- COVID-19 left scars we sometimes forget
- Food, laughter, and love are universal healers
“I’m dreaming now of bringing more people together—those who prayed for me, supported me, and even those I’ve yet to meet. Because life is precious, and community is everything,” Vanessa shares.
Vanessa’s unexpectedly beautiful evening offers a heartwarming reminder of how precious life is and how the intangible and invaluable moments it so generously offers are those to cherish the most.
So, why not share a meal with someone special, extend an act of kindness or try something completely out of your comfort zone to make your soul (or someone else’s) smile a little?
Sources: Vanessa Perumal
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