We’re incredibly proud to share that our Founder and CEO, Liz Dawes OAM, has been honoured with the Les Leckie Award for Lived Experience Leadership at the 2025 VCCC Alliance Awards.

The VCCC Alliance Awards celebrate excellence across Victoria’s cancer research, care and lived experience community — recognising individuals and teams who are driving meaningful change and better outcomes for people affected by cancer.

Liz received this award for her outstanding leadership and advocacy in the paediatric brain cancer space. Through the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation, Liz has worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of families and young people affected by brain cancer, fostering collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and the community to accelerate progress and improve care.

The evening, hosted by the VCCC Alliance and featuring moving performances by The Royal Melbourne Hospital Scrub Choir, was a powerful celebration of dedication, innovation and lived experience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the VCCC Alliance for recognising Liz and for your continued commitment to advancing cancer care and championing the vital role of lived experience leadership.

Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients and nominees — we’re inspired by your impact and proud to be part of such an extraordinary community working towards better outcomes for all.