MSCAN Board
The MSCAN Board have all been personally impacted by skin cancer and have come together due to frustrations that not enough is being done. The MSCAN Board brings together complimentary skills in patient advocacy and support, government policy, pharmaceutical industry knowledge, finance and marketing.
Tamara Dawson
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
After a serious melanoma diagnosis and successful treatment in 2015, I became increasingly involved as a melanoma consumer / advocate. I soon identified a gap – so much more could be done to help address the needs of skin cancer patients, from early detection through to coping with a serious diagnosis, as well as more funding for research and a committed advocacy approach. Early on, I wanted to know that people were advocating for me in the halls of Parliament House in Canberra and elsewhere!
After years of research, consultation and strategic planning, I’m proud to have established Australia’s only national, independent, consumer led organisation for people affected by a skin cancer diagnosis.
A career in government policy, economics, international trade and corporate affairs combined with an eagerness to use these skills in the skin cancer community, has led to the establishment of MSCAN.
I am proud to tell skin cancer patients that there is an organisation that’s “got your back” with linkages to leading medical professionals and researchers in Australia and globally, and consumer organisations around the world.
Skin cancer is Australia’s national cancer and more needs to be done, collaboratively, to tackle all forms of the disease.
Hayley Andersen
DIRECTOR
Following a Bachelor of Science majoring in Microbiology and Psychology at Melbourne University and post-graduate studies in Information Technology, I worked in a variety of management roles before entering the health sector. My role as the Head of Patient Advocacy at Bristol Myers-Squibb, allows me to bring patient perspectives to company decisions and actively support the patient voice in health decision making. Having lost my father to melanoma more than 20 years ago when he was just 48 years old, I am driven to make a difference for others affected by the disease.
Professor Alan Cooper AM
Director
I was diagnosed with stage III melanoma in 2013, and despite multiple surgeries and two trials of experimental treatment it progressed to stage IV. The melanoma eventually responded to a combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy which commenced in early 2017.
At the time of diagnosis I was Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Northern Clinical School of the University of Sydney, and Head of the Department of Dermatology at Royal North Shore Hospital. Over the years I have served in a number of capacities in The Australasian College of Dermatologists, and have been involved in the training and assessment of medical students and dermatology advanced trainees. I supervised a research unit and was involved in fund raising for dermatology research through state, national and international foundations.
Darren Dawson
DIRECTOR
As a Director of MSCAN I aim to ensure all those effected by melanoma and skin cancer in Australia receive the best possible level of care. My wife was diagnosed with advanced melanoma in 2015 and my father with an invasive squamous cell carcinoma in 2016. I can relate to the journey that so many families in Australia take when they receive a diagnosis of skin cancer. I believe MSCAN can play an important role as the voice of patients and their families.
I work as the Chief Financial Officer of Sentient Impact Group in Melbourne. I have worked in banking and finance for over 20 years am a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Jennie Yamamoto
DIRECTOR
After my father was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma which progressed to Stage IV, I felt unprepared and confronted with the significant decline in his health as his condition worsened. After several surgeries and traditional treatments with limited success, he was fortunate to be allowed onto a trial program combining the treatment of radiotherapy and immunotherapy which he responded well to. Having seen him go through this but also come out the other side of it has inspired me to be more involved in advocating for better support for patients and their families. I am a Chartered Accountant (CA) and my experience in finance and accounting over the past 20 years has been in the corporate services and property sector, where I am currently the General Manager Group Finance at Stockland. My aim is to bring these skills and independent thinking to support the growth and achievement of MSCAN’s goals.