Brain Cancer Action is supported by a number of amazing Australian’s. Below is a list of our ambassadors.
Darren Tieste
When someone close to you, so beautiful, is taken away so quickly, it leaves you asking questions why? We need funding to answer those questions.
High profile photographer to the stars and fashion magazines – Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and Cleo. Darren recently launched a book for Brain Cancer with a mix of A list celebrity and model portraits. He founded this project after he lost his close friend Natalie Sattler Esposito to brain cancer at just 35 years old. ‘The Beauty Book for Brain Cancer‘ includes breathtaking images from some of the biggest identities in the world – Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria and Miley Cyrus. “When someone close to you, so beautiful, is taken away so quickly, it leaves you asking questions why? We need funding to answer those questions. We still know almost as little about the causes and treatments for Brain Cancer as we did 10 years ago. It has an 80% mortality rate and cases are on the increase. I urge you to support this cause and help us find answers quickly.”
Marcella Zemanek
With over 30 years of experience in media, Marcella Zemanek is one of radio’s most respected women, having worked alongside some of Australia’s leading radio personalities, including John Laws, Stan Zemanek, Alan Jones, Brian Bury and John Stanley. In 1981 she succumbed to the irrefutable charms of one of these men and married the love of her life, Stan Zemanek. When Stan was diagnosed with a grade 4 gliomain 2006, all Marcella’s energies were concentrated in helping fight this disease. Since Stan passed away, Marcella has committed to raise funds and awareness of brain cancer.
She is passionate about finding a cure for brain cancer.
Dr Charlie Teo
Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board and Founder of the Cure for Life Foundation, devoted to the advancement and treatment of patients with brain tumours. Charlie’s dedication to neurosurgery and charitable efforts were rewarded in 2003 and 2009 when Charlie was NSW State finalistfor the prestigious, Australian of the Year award. Always the patient advocate, Charlie lives by the principle of treating all his patients as he would a member of his own family.
Dr Kerrie McDonald
Kerrie was instrumental in setting up brain tumour banking, developing large clinical cohorts and flourished in the field of biomarker discovery. Her work focuses on understanding brain tumour migration invasiveness and biomarker discovery. She has a passion for tumour banking as demonstrated through her co-leadership of AGOG(Australian Genomics and Clinical Outcomes of Glioma) which is a Cancer Council funded partnership grant between NSW and WA. She is the current Chair of the NSW Oncology Group (NSWOG) for neuro-oncology.
Julian Huxley - 1200 Club Ambassador
Julian is a pillar of strength and a role model for brain cancer patients. Julian Huxley’s brilliant rugby career was put on hold when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He had the tumour removed early in 2008, before undergoing months of debilitating radiation and chemo therapy. His ambition to return to the Rugby field never died, and after medical clearances in March 2010, he completed an extraordinary return. Julian plays for the Melbourne Rebelsand is a pillar of strength and a role model for brain cancer patients.
Kate Waterhouse
Journalist, Media Celebrity, Style and Fashion Editor for the Sun Herald in Sydney, Face of and Presenter for Foxtel’s Lifestyle You channel, the list goes on. A part of Australia’s racing royalty, Kate Waterhouse has grown up in the media spotlight. She is the daughter of leading thoroughbred trainer Gai and Grand Daughter of racing legend Tommy “TJ” Smith. Kate is an active ambassador and has a personal connection to brain cancer after losing her Great Grandmother.
Tom Waterhouse
Racing is in Tom Waterhouse’s blood. The son of Australia’s first lady of racing, Gai, and bookmaker Robbie, Tom represents the fourth generation of Waterhouse bookmakers and is a well respected entreprenuerin his field. With Tom’s inside knowledge and passion for the sport, he is Australia’s leading on-course bookmaker and had expanded his expertise online. Both Tom and his sister Kate (above) have been personally affected by Brain Cancer after losing their Great Grandmother.
Dr Brindha Shivalingam – 1200 Club Ambassador
Brain cancer affects children and young adults and so leaves a devastating impact on society. With awareness and funding will come valuable research to find a cure for this disease.
Dr Brindha Shivalingam is a neurosurgeon who specializes in brain cancer surgery. She provides the highest level of surgical care for her patients along with the humility and compassion that is of immense importance during this very difficult time in their lives.
Associate Professor Brian Owler – 1200 Club Ambassador
“As an adult and paediatric neurosurgeon I know that brain cancer affects all ages. To support research in this area is to offer hope to all those affected”. “The improvements in treatment and outcome have allowed us to offer hope to patients and families where it would not have been possible prior to the advances we have made. Progress has been slow but new opportunities have opened in the fields of neuro-oncology with better understanding of tumour molecular biology and cancer genetics. We need to seize these opportunities that lay before us and ’1200 Club’ program will give researchers that ability.”
Dr Jonathon Parkinson – 1200 Club Ambassador
“During my time researching brain cancer, I have been constantly frustrated by the lack of funding brain cancer research attracts”. ”Despite being the leading cause of cancer death in people under 39, and an Australian dying every 8 hours from brain cancer, research into this devastating disease remains chronically underfunded. Without an increase in awareness and research funding, it is unlikely we can have any impact on the extremely poor outcome from brain cancer. Help us help the patients and their families who have had their lives changed forever by contact with this disease”.
Dr Benjamin Jonker - 1200 Club Ambassador
“The 1200 club provides an opportunity to do something positive towards finding better treatments for one of the most lethal, yet sadly underfunded, cancers. As a neurosurgeon I recognise that although I have the privilege of providing care to patients during this often difficult journey, the most important future advances are likely to come from the lab and not the operating theatre. Let’s be a part of making this happen.” “the most important future advances are likely to come from the lab and not the operating theatre. Let’s be a part of making this happen.”
Benjamin Jonker, Neurosurgeon – Royal Prince Alfred and St Vincent’s Hospitals
