Efi Chatzinikolaou

I am Efi Chatzinikolaou, a breast cancer survivor, a Greek by birth, and a citizen of the world. Over the past 15 years, I have lived and worked across six countries, experiences that have shaped both who I am and how I see the world. I currently call the Netherlands home while continuing to explore new cultures and perspectives through my work and travels. Professionally, I work in the field of international development, focusing on food, nutrition, and health. I am passionate about creating meaningful impact and believe that lasting change happens when people come together around a common purpose. I am a natural connector who enjoys building bridges between individuals, organizations, and sectors, helping turn ideas into action.

My journey as a patient advocate began in 2022, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35. Like many people facing a cancer diagnosis, I suddenly found myself navigating an unfamiliar world of treatments, uncertainty, and difficult decisions. The experience changed me profoundly and sparked a strong desire to better understand not only my own journey, but also the broader realities of patient care and survivorship. While my motivation came from my personal experience as a patient, my professional background in public health, nutrition, and international development helped me navigate this new world with greater confidence and curiosity. It gave me the tools to ask questions, seek information, and better understand the systems and structures that shape patient experiences. Throughout treatment and recovery, I became increasingly aware of the challenges people face beyond active treatment, particularly when it comes to survivorship, long-term wellbeing, and rebuilding life after cancer. As a younger patient, I felt there were important conversations that were often missing, and I wanted to contribute to changing that. I became a patient advocate because I believe that lived experience matters. By sharing my story and using both my personal and professional perspectives, I hope to help improve patient-centred care, raise awareness of survivorship challenges, and ensure that patients have a stronger voice in the decisions that affect their lives.