People with Purpose: Robyn Smith
Bringing Visibility, Voice and Vigilance to Inherited Cancer Risk
When we think of cancer, our minds often turn to treatment, recovery, and survival. But for Robyn Smith, the story begins long before a diagnosis. A passionate voice in the preventive health space, Robyn has made it her life’s mission to raise awareness about inherited cancer risk, an often invisible burden that shapes the decisions, bodies and futures of many Australians.
Robyn’s journey is deeply personal. After losing both her mother and grandmother to cancer, she learned her own family carried the BRCA2 gene mutation, a revelation that changed the course of her life. But what could have remained a private experience became something far more powerful: a platform for change.
Today, Robyn is the Programs and Advocacy Manager at Inherited Cancer Australia (formerly Pink Hope), where she combines her background in finance with a decade-long commitment to advocacy and community engagement.
Her work is not just about information; it’s about transformation. Robyn supports individuals and families grappling with the complexities of hereditary cancer, helping them navigate genetic testing, risk-reducing procedures, and the emotional toll of carrying a gene mutation. She champions evidence-based resources and informed decision-making, ensuring that those at high risk are not navigating their journeys in isolation.
In a society that often focuses on illness after it arrives, Robyn is shifting the narrative to prevention and early action. She is part of research collaborations that advance our understanding of hereditary cancers and is relentless in pushing for public recognition of the psychological and financial strain that inherited risk places on families. Her advocacy highlights the gaps in support for people who are not yet sick, but who face life-altering decisions, surgeries, and lifelong anxiety based on what runs in their DNA.
Robyn’s influence extends beyond hospital corridors and research panels. She’s a connector, building a safe and supportive community where people can share their stories, ask questions, and find hope. Through national events, peer mentoring, and public education, Robyn and the team at Inherited Cancer Australia are building a future where family health history is no longer a taboo, and where every Australian can make empowered choices about their wellbeing.
Her impact is both practical and deeply human. She brings visibility to those whose health risks are often invisible. She gives voice to people who live in the shadow of a genetic legacy they didn’t choose. And she reminds us all of the importance of vigilance, not fear, when it comes to our bodies and our futures.
Robyn Smith is a person with purpose. Through her lived experience, leadership, and unwavering dedication, she is helping to rewrite the story of inherited cancer, not with fear, but with strength, solidarity, and hope for generations to come.
Want to learn more and get involved? Attend the Legacy Long Lunch, a powerful, family-style event at Realm Hotel where real stories, connection, and community meet. Hear from those navigating inherited cancer risk and discover why this isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s family business.
📅 Saturday 17 May | 11:30am – 2:30pm
📍 Hotel Realm, Barton
🎟️ $85 tickets: inheritedcancers.org.au
#LegacyLongLunch #InheritedCancerAustralia #BRCA #GeneticTesting #FamilyHealthMatters #CanberraEvents #PurposeMediaCBR #CommunityWithPurpose
Image: Jodi Shepard, Hot Shots Photography https://hotshotsphotography.com.au/
