Alex & Zizi, a cancer love story
In this powerful story, Alex and Zizi talk about facing an incurable cancer diagnosis together.
Zizi was diagnosed with Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST), a rare and aggressive type of sarcoma, at just 28 years old. She later shared her experience of the emotional toll the diagnosis took, and the profound impact it had on her relationship with filmmaker Ann-Marie Ramm for Macmillan (a UK cancer charity).
“I was unable to deal with my emotions and was mostly numb, trying very hard to keep things together,” Zizi explains. “Both my partner and I spent so much energy trying to appear fine to those around us.”
Like many young couples, Zizi and her partner, Alex, had imagined their life filled with shared experiences, friendships, and carefree moments. “We wanted to live our lives like most young couples,” she says. “We have a good relationship, but I worry there’s a lightness, a carefreeness, that cancer stole from us.” Throughout it all, Alex remained a constant source of strength. “My partner has offered me so much support and love through this,” Zizi adds.
Planning for the future was no longer straightforward for Zizi and Alex, but that uncertainty motivated them to make the most of the time they had together. Within the space of a year, they made a series of life-changing decisions - moving house, getting married, and committing fully to living the life they had always envisioned.
Alex proposed to Zizi on their anniversary, a date made even more significant as it coincided with the day Zizi completed her radiation therapy. The couple went on to marry in August 2022.
In 2024 Zizi was told that the cancer had spread to her lungs and underwent more chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In May 2025 Alex and Zizi took a long awaited trip to Ziz’s place of birth in South Africa to see her family and friends in the Eastern Cape. Alex said “We had so much fun exploring. She was well enough that we could go on date nights again. Hikes again. Feel like Zizi and Alex again, without cancer dominating our time.”
Zizi passed away on Sunday 17th August, 2025.
Sources: Macmillan, Gofundme, Ann-Marie Ramm (cinematographer).
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