"Some people might describe me as a retiree," says David. "I never do."
David 'retired' from a long and successful career as a corporate and investment banker in 1999. Since then, he has enjoyed a variety of roles including as a non-executive director of several ASX listed companies and voluntary director of a not-for-profit disability services company.
David is also a consumer advocate in health and medical research. It was his experiences as the father of sick children that led him into this role.
Experience prompts action
David's youngest daughter was born extremely prematurely. Thankfully, advances in health and medical research made her survival and healthy development possible. "Not only did she survive, when just years earlier most babies in her situation would not have," says David. "But she has grown and developed into an adult who is now finding her place in the world."
The journey David travelled with his eldest daughter was vastly different. Michelle had brain cancer. "I witnessed the debilitating effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and went through the motions of receiving a standard of care that I subsequently discovered had not altered survival rates."
David wanted to learn about ongoing research into new treatment areas for brain cancer. He joined the WEHI Consumer Program which invites people who have experienced illness, or cared for someone with an illness, to support scientific research.
Making a difference in health and medical research
David has subsequently collaborated with researchers on grant applications, drawing on his banking and finance experience to help secure funding.
He has also contributed to the GLIMMER project as co-Chair of the Consumer Reference Group and as a steering group member. Funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), GLIMMER aims to improve survival outcomes and quality of life for patients with the aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma.
"Over the past three years, I have had the opportunity to meet many scientists and researchers. They have never failed to impress me with their incredible drive and commitment to finding solutions to some of our most difficult health problems. Why wouldn't you want to be involved with that?"
The power of consumer involvement
David is clear about the value consumers bring to research. "Consumers are not meant to be the experts in science. That's what the researchers are. The consumer's role is to share their lived experience of health conditions, the effects of treatments, and what their priorities might be. It is also to advocate for the benefits of all patients and the broader community."
David believes consumers help researchers see the human side of their work. "It is hard for a researcher to put themselves into the shoes of a patient and to understand what they experience daily.
We can highlight how important potential new treatments are in improving the quality of life for both patient and family. This is further motivation to the researchers of the potential value of their work."
Hopes for the future
"Australian scientists and researchers have proven over the years that they are at the forefront of medical research. But they need substantial funding to continue to achieve breakthrough treatments in areas such as brain cancer," says David.
"The MRFF is an extremely important funding initiative, which plays a major role in contributing to the success in finding cures for some of our community's most significant health problems."
"Being involved with health and medical research as a consumer is a most rewarding experience. Seeing the incredible work that our researchers do provides me with great hope that, with the right resources, many of the diseases currently marked as incurable, may one day be cured."
