‘After my experience as a carer for my husband and father, I was motivated to give back’ – Sharon Bennett

Tracey O’Brien shared a post by Cancer Institute NSW on LinkedIn:

“I’m proud to work in partnership with people like Sharon, who quietly but so impactfully make an enormous difference to cancer care in NSW.

Today, I thank all the people in our community who selflessly give their time to support others. We truly couldn’t do what we do without you.”

Quoting Cancer Institute NSW’s post:

“This National Volunteers Week we’re recognising the people affected by cancer who lend their time and experiences to our Community and Consumer Advisory Panel.

‘After my experience as a carer for my husband and father, I was motivated to give back.’

Sharon Bennett, from the Sutherland Shire, is particularly passionate about improving the carer experience. She knows that well-considered cancer initiatives can not only ease the burden and enhance the wellbeing of people with cancer, but their support networks too. Thanks to her insights, we’re able to better meet carers’ needs.

Sharon is one of 20 advisors on our panel who contribute to shaping the future of cancer care. Our panel come from across NSW with varying professional backgrounds and personal experiences with cancer. We can’t thank them enough for their help in ensuring our efforts meet the needs of those affected by cancer.

Learn more about our Community and Consumer Advisory Panel.”

Source: Tracey O’Brien/LinkedIn and Cancer Institute NSW/LinkedIn

Dr. Tracey O’Brien is the NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Australia. Before her current role, Tracey was Director of the Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, and Director of the Transplant & Cellular Therapy Program.

Tracey has held numerous high-profile national and international leadership positions, including Advisory Chair, Cancer Australia; V/Chair (Africa, Asia and Australasia) International Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant Research and V/President of the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Oncology Group.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Tracey was profiled in 2023 as one of the world’s foremost women in paediatric cancer by the International Society of Paediatric Oncology. In 2019 Tracey was named in the Australian Financial Review’s prestigious Top 10 Women of Influence, winning the Innovation category.

In addition to her medical expertise, Tracey has a Master of Law (Health) and executive MBA and serves as a conjoint Professor in Clinical Medicine (UNSW) and Honorary Professor in Science and Engineering (Macquarie University). Dr. O’Brien remains committed to mentoring the next generation of clinician leaders and maintains an active clinical practice in cancer survivorship at Sydney Children’s Hospital.