DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

'Gave it a crack': Professor Richard Scolyer's open letter to Australians

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Professor Richard Scolyer, a renowned pathologist, has died at age 59 after a battle with aggressive brain cancer.
  • He was diagnosed in 2023 and given a short prognosis but lived for nearly two years with experimental treatment.
  • Scolyer's open letter to Australians reflects on his life, his contributions to cancer research, and his family.

Professor Richard Scolyer, a distinguished pathologist and cancer researcher, has passed away at the age of 59. His death follows a courageous nearly two-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, which he faced with experimental immunotherapy.

I pen this letter as a final goodbye to all those I have had the immense privilege of loving, sharing life's adventures with, working alongside and meeting during what can only be described as a life filled with happiness, optimism, opportunity and passion.

— Professor Richard ScolyerIn his posthumously released open letter to Australians.

Diagnosed in May 2023 with a prognosis of six to eight months, Scolyer defied expectations, dedicating his final years to advancing cancer research and advocating for increased investment. His work in melanoma pathology and his participation in brain cancer clinical trials have left a significant legacy.

I've spent the last three years being open and honest about my journey with glioblastoma (brain cancer), in part to be transparent about what cancer patients and their families go through, and in part to provide hope and inspiration that we can and should continue to push boundaries to propel the cancer field forward.

— Professor Richard ScolyerIn his posthumously released open letter to Australians, explaining his openness about his diagnosis.

In a poignant open letter released posthumously, Scolyer shared his reflections with "All Australians." He spoke of a life filled with happiness, optimism, and passion, emphasizing the importance of pushing boundaries in cancer research. He expressed pride in his professional achievements and hoped his efforts would pave the way for future breakthroughs.

I am extremely proud of my impact, from my lifelong career as a world leading melanoma pathologist and cancer researcher, to being the first patient to receive experimental brain cancer treatment based on melanoma science I helped develop, followed by participation in development of a brain cancer clinical trial and advocacy for greater investment in brain cancer research.

— Professor Richard ScolyerReflecting on his career and contributions in his open letter.

Scolyer also acknowledged the profound impact of his illness on his family, particularly his wife Katie and their three children. He credited their unwavering love, support, and strength for helping him navigate the challenges. His letter serves as a final farewell, a testament to his enduring spirit and commitment to making a difference.

But those same challenges have also drawn us closer and reinforced that family is everything.

— Professor Richard ScolyerDescribing the impact of his illness on his family in his open letter.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog