David Thomas
PhD FRACP (Medical Oncology)

I am a medical oncologist specialising in sarcomas, a rare set of cancers that often affect young people. Working at the Peter Mac, I am also the Director of OnTrac@Peter Mac, Australia's first dedicated adolescent and young adult cancer program.

A little known fact is that cancer is the major cause of disease-related death in young people. In Australia, a young person is diagnosed with cancer every 6 hours, with an increase of 40% in the past decade. Cure rates for young people with cancer have been shown to have changed little over the past 30 years, whereas outcomes for older and younger people have improved by an average of 1-2% every year. Despite this situation, government spending on the healthcare of young people with cancer declined by 13% between 1993-2001.

World-wide, there is increasing recognition that we need to do more. Australia is at the forefront of these developments. The reason I support The Warwick Foundation is that I believe that champions for the needs of this vulnerable group must work together to make a difference. Samantha Lehmann is a remarkable woman who can and will make a big difference to young Australians with cancer. I urge you to support her in her mission.

Darren Grech
(CPA, Registered Company Auditor)

I am a partner at Buckley Business Solutions Chartered Accountants in Essendon, specialising in servicing small to medium enterprises. Outside my professional career I enjoy keeping fit and discovering the natural wonders this great country has to offer!

Like many others I have been personally touched by the devastation that is cancer. After hearing Samantha's story and her strong desire to (actively) make a difference, it was a 'no-brainer' to be part of an important cause.

Gary Bohmer
(Pharmacist)

I have been a pharmacist for 30 years, owning my business for the past 25 years. I married Pam 26 years ago and shortly after took ownership of the first pharmacy in Kyneton. Where we had 5 children in rapid succession, youngest is now 18 and the eldest is 25, all very diverse.

Our happy lifestyle was interrupted, when Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer just over 10 years ago. This comes as a huge shock particularly when it was discovered as an advanced aggressive cancer. Pam went through the usual surgery and heavy chemotherapy. This was made even more unpleasant when initially she was in the public hospital. A young women losing her dignity was further robbed as she was placed in a room with old and dying patients. We were fortunate enough to change to the private system. She died after a long battle 6 years ago.

It was very refreshing, when Samantha approached me to become a board member of The Warwick Foundation. I see a big need to accommodate young people with cancer in the public system and henceforth my support.