Richard Scolyer
An open letter to all Australians from Professor Richard A Scolyer AO
December 16, 1966 – June 7, 2026
My fellow Australians, I am writing this letter as a final farewell to all those I have had the privilege of loving, sharing life’s experiences with, working with and meeting during what can only be described as a life full of joy, hope, opportunity and passion.
It is my intention that this letter be published after my death – as my final farewell. I have spent the last three years being open and honest about my glioblastoma (brain cancer) journey, partly to be open about what cancer patients and their families are going through, and partly to offer hope and inspiration that we can and should continue to push the boundaries to move the field of cancer forward.
After dedicating my 35-year career to patient care, cancer research and improving lives, I wanted to continue to contribute, even in my darkest hour.
I am very proud of my impact – from my lifelong work as a melanoma oncologist and cancer researcher, to being the first patient to receive an experimental brain cancer treatment based on the melanoma science I helped develop, followed by participating in the development of a brain cancer clinical trial and advocacy for major investment in brain cancer research.
I sincerely hope the scientific data and insight I have provided will provide a platform for others to build upon to make a difference for future cancer patients.
Perhaps I am lucky that the physical and mental effects of the final stages of brain cancer mean that I would likely be unaware of my decline in these final weeks.
I am writing this knowing that my wonderful family would be by my side every minute, as they have been throughout my cancer journey. Like all families living with cancer, the impact has been far greater than just mine. Since I was diagnosed in May 2023, our family has had challenges that we did not plan for or want. But those same challenges have also brought us closer to reinforcing that family is everything. I cannot thank my beautiful wife Katie and my lovely children Emily, Matthew and Lucy enough for their love, support, strength, and compassion. They are shining examples of the best of humanity and they make me very proud.
I am also very grateful to my elderly Mum and Dad in Tasmania, my brother Mark and many friends for their strength and support, especially in recent years. My childhood was full of adventures built on “how”, not “if”, which set me on a path to be curious and truly believe that nothing is possible.
If you will allow me one final reprieve, composing this letter inspired me to reflect with pride on my role in providing new evidence that will ultimately lead to life-saving advances in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. I helped establish the world’s largest melanoma bank, became the world’s most published melanoma pathologist authoring over 1000 research publications, and lectured hundreds of times at conferences around the world. I am also proud to have held leadership roles in the US Joint Committee on Cancer and the World Health Organization and many other international organizations.
In addition to my roles in developing breakthroughs in melanoma treatment, including immunotherapy, and increasing melanoma survival rates, my mentoring of the next generation of clinical physicians (including pathologists) and cancer researchers has perhaps been the greatest reward from my life’s work. I have always been guided by the belief that we all have a responsibility to try to change the future of others and leave the world a better place. From mentoring PhD students in translational research labs and early stage clinicians in hospitals, to taking on dangerous experimental treatments for brain cancer and going through many voluntary clinical trials to advance the scientific knowledge of brain cancer – I have lived those values to the fullest.
I was deeply humbled when the federal government recently named a Brain Cancer Research Chair at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in my honor. Such public praise has never sat very comfortably with me, but I’m glad that much-needed brain cancer research will continue to be funded long after I’m gone.
To my fellow researchers and clinicians, I urge you to stay curious and brave and keep striving to break new ground. For all cancer patients, I encourage them to consider enrolling in research and clinical trials, if they are offered. And to the government and wider society, please continue to fund scientific and medical research. This is the most impactful way you, too, can make a difference.
Perhaps the greatest lesson from these past three years is that cancer does not define us. It may be the current path we are traveling, but it is not our entire journey. The final cancer diagnosis however provides clarity on what is important. It highlights the importance of relationships, true friendship and selflessness.
While cancer may not define us, our ability to empathize and have compassion for others does. That’s true in all walks of life, and I’m sure those qualities will continue to lead Australians towards universal acceptance and support.
My final message to all Australians is to say thank you for your love and support for me and my family. You who I met during my travels together 2024 Australian of the Year, my amazing online community that spans many countries, and of course my hometown Tasmanians – you have laughed with me, cried with me, and given me the encouragement and support to carry on when I needed it most. I haven’t sugarcoated my journey and I sincerely thank you for giving me the chance and opportunity to share it with you, warts and all. I hope I have in some small way made the path ahead of me easier and smoother for others.
If my legacy were to continue beyond these words, I would be happy and humbled to be remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who “gave it a crack”, and in doing so, inspired others to follow their dreams and passions with humility, love and compassion.
With much love and thanks, Richard.
