Our Ambassadors
Tom Gleeson
Just over a year ago I met Heath through the internet. I was online to promote comedy shows but he was online to fill in time while fighting cancer. Amongst a sea of pretenders he was the only genuine person on MySpace. Messages bounced back and forth. We were the same age. We liked the same bands. We both liked gaming. The only thing we didn't have in common, was that he was sick and I was not. So I invited him to come to my Melbourne Comedy Festival show where I met his beautiful partner Donna and I discovered a man who was facing a big challenge with great humour and optimism. It was not long after that festival that he was given the all clear.
Not long after the festival I went and visited Heath at his house. It was very tidy, which painted a picture of a man out in the suburbs with too much time on his hands. It was through Heath I made the discovery that young men and women (but men especially) seemed to take on cancer all by themselves. When you're not a cute kid or a bit older with children and grandchildren of your own there just doesn't seem to be as many people helping you with your struggle. All your friends in their thirties can just be too busy with their own lives to stop and help out. This is where young men and women can slip between the cracks.
Heath got sick again. The Melbourne Comedy Festival rolled around and I invited him along to the show again. He told me he was not so well and the doctors only gave him three months to go. He texted me that he wanted to come to my show but insisted he would pay for tickets this time. I replied that what use was a terminal illness if you can't get free tickets out of it. I knew this would tickle his dark sense of humour. He replied thanks.
Heath never got to my show. The next time my phone rang from Heath's number it was a relative telling me that he had died. He died sooner than the doctors had given him.
Heath recommended me to be the ambassador for The Warwick Foundation. This is why I'm on board. To honour Heath's memory and to help people like Heath feel like they're not alone.
Tom Gleeson
Comedian & Ambassador - The Warwick Foundation
Brad Johnson
I found out about the Warwick Foundation after receiving a letter from the founder, Samantha Lehmann. Sam inspired me to become involved in the Foundation and help raise awareness of the needs of young adults with cancer. I believe no one should have to travel the difficult cancer journey alone and I know that the Foundation 'Mates In My Shoes' program will ensure young adults no longer have to. The Warwick Foundation is a great initiative and very unique as it focuses specifically on helping young adults through their cancer journey, meeting their needs and helping them cope with challenges. I am very keen to assist in raising awareness of the Warwick Foundation and supporting young Australian adults throughout their cancer journey.
Brad Johnson
AFL Footballer (Western Bulldogs) & Ambassador - The Warwick Foundation
Scott McGregor
About 6 years ago, a friends sister, Claire, was diagnosed with brain tumours. As hard as it was for her family, Claire was brave and underwent brain surgery to remove the tumour. Over the following years, Claire was in and out of hospital having tumours removed from her brain as they kept reappearing, until late in 2008, when Claire was told another tumour had grown back but this time, it was inoperable.
Claire passed away in November 2009, leaving behind her husband and 2 young children. As sad as it was, Claires death showed me how fragile life is and how important it is to raise cancer awareness in young adults.
I found out about the Warwick Foundation through a Facebook message an old friend and founder Samantha Lehmann wrote me, telling me about her charity. Sam asked me to join the group to help raise awareness and also invited me to the 'In My Shoes Gala Ball' earlier this year. I was really touched by some of the stories told on the night and totally amazed by the support given.
One of the biggest reasons I want to help raise awareness is from a statistic Sam gave during a speech on the night. The survival rates for young adults with cancer has only improved by 1% in 30 years, whereas children and the elderly survival rates have improved by an average of 30% over 30 years.
I couldn't believe it and thought to myself, it that isn't a good enough reason to support the Warwick Foundation, I'm not sure what is.
Not long after, Sam asked me to be an ambassador for the Warwick Foundation and I could not think of a better cause to help promote and raise awareness.
The Warwick Foundation is an amazing initiative and I am so happy to be able to help raise awareness for Young Australians living with Cancer and their families.
Scott McGregor
Model / TV Presenter & Ambassador - The Warwick Foundation
Rhys Uhlich
Being in the position I currently am, one of my most fortunate rewards is being able to publicly support charities and foundations I believe in. In saying that I want to throw my support behind those I am most passionate about and The Warwick Foundation is that charity. The work The Warwick Foundation does for young people with cancer during the fight of their lives is inspirational and a testament to the small but hard working team.
The Warwick Foundation is not run by or named after a famous celebrity or public figure making raising awareness that much harder and their job is not getting any easier either with survival rates in the young adults age bracket being the only age group not to improve in the last 30 years! This fact alone illustrates the kind of support this foundation needs and I hope I can make some kind of difference with my role as an official ambassador.
Rhys Uhlich
Model & Ambassador - The Warwick Foundation
Matthew Richardson
I have had the honour over the years of being able to help out a few charities, it is one of the most rewarding things anyone can do. So when I sat down with Sam and Jade and spoke to them about The Warwick Foundation I was shocked to hear some of the stats regarding young adults and cancer. On deeper reflection it made sense as I have seen firsthand the struggles that effect people in this age group and their families. There are so many charities out there supporting so many great causes but The Warwick Foundation is the first of its kind in this area and needs to be supported. I look forward to helping out the very passionate people that work so hard to help raise money to help people in 'my age group'. I hope once you here about them you will too.
Matthew Richardson
Former AFL Champion, Presenter & Ambassador - The Warwick Foundation
Margot Robbie
In July I'll be moving into my twenties. As a young adult, it's hard to ignore the fact that the 18-40 year old age bracket is often over-looked and under-funded as far as cancer aid goes. Once I heard the alarming statistics for cancer victims in my demographic I was determined to help raise awareness and The Warwick Foundation presented me with this opportunity. I'm so privileged to be on board and can't wait to support this wonderful cause!
Margot Robbie
Actor & Ambassador - The Warwick Foundation
Natalie Hunter
It is through my good friend James Walden that I first found out about The Warwick Foundation.
In 2008, at just 23 he discovered that he had Stage 2 Hodgkin‚Äôs Lymphoma- an incredible shock to everyone that knew James but most importantly to him. The battle ahead of him seemed endless‚ test after test, injection after injection and then finally chemo and radiation.
James was inspirational- he rose to the challenge and became more positive than ever before. While he was sick we attended The Warwick Foundation's "In My Shoes" gala and we heard many heart wrenching stories. The remarkable thing was that all night people came up to James to offer their encouragement and support. On that night I feel that I witnessed, first hand, the enormous benefits that The Warwick Foundation has to offer.
In 2009 James was given the all clear and went into remission.
I am thrilled to be a part of The Warwick Foundation and I'm really looking forward to working with an organisation that provides so much to the victims of a disease, which can strike anyone of any age at any time.
Natalie Hunter
Totally Wild Presenter & Ambassador - The Warwick Foundation