Eighteen years ago John was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. Following a successful bone marrow transplant in 2001 he became a committed and passionate advocate for people affected by cancer. He holds degrees in Accounting and Arts and is a regular speaker at medical conferences in Australia and internationally about health and cancer policy, advocacy, clinical trials, research and related issues. John was awarded an Honorary Associate of the University of Sydney - School of Medicine in 2009 for work in the promotion of Clinical Trials in Australia and a Recognition Award from the Federal Department of Health in 2011 for – “long standing commitment to advancing the quality of radiation oncology services in this country”. He currently holds four Board positions – Cancer Institute NSW, Medical Board of NSW Health Consumers NSW, NSW Illawarra and Shoalhaven Health district as well as a member of 16 Federal and State Government Health and Research Committees. John has contributed to over 40 research papers as an Investigator and Associate Investigator.