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richardscolyer.bsky.social
Surgical Pathologist Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Prof Sydney University. 2024 Joint Australian of Year. Editor WHO Skin Tumour Classification (4th ed). American Joint Committee on Cancer, Vice Chair Melanoma Expert Panel. All posts/comments are personal.
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Thrilled to kick off immersion phase of @Sydney_Uni’s PERIscope Commercialisation Award with Dr. Nigel Maher & Dr. Ismael Vergara! Our novel diagnostic test could transform diagnosis of skin lesions. Want to learn more? Contact our Entrepreneur Lead, Dr. Nigel Maher at [email protected]

Further neurosurgery next week to help brilliant team looking after me try & sort out changes in my brain detected on recent scans. All fingers & toes will stay crossed for next week or so! Thanks everyone for your kindness and support. The last few weeks have been tough.

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable weekend! Our family’s fantastic addition from a year ago (& inaugural pet) Cha-Cha is fun for all of us to hang out with! We all love him so much ❤️❤️❤️

I had fun catching up with some old friends today. At Parkrun, I caught up with my long time running/triathlon/duathlon buddy, Trevor. One of my best friends ever since kindergarten, Susie also popped around. We laughed a lot reminiscing. It cheered me up after a tough week.

Brilliant inspiring lecture tonight from 2019 Australian of the Year Dr Richard Harris SC OAM about incredible rescue of a group of kids from a flooded cave in Thailand by him & other heroes! He is such a fabulous person & I loved catching up with him again just before his wonderful lecture began!

Unfortunately my recent scans show some new changes which could be an effect of my previous treatment or recurrent brain tumour. I might need surgery in a few weeks time to obtain some tissue so the smart neuropathology team can help to figure this out (which I know isn’t always easy)!

Late last year, I was profiled by Guardian Australia on my emotional journey since my brain cancer was diagnosed in May 2023. We also talked about the process of writing my memoir Brainstorm with Garry Maddox and how it turned out more joyful than I expected! www.theguardian.com/books/2024/n...

So much fun doing interview with The Panel on Channel 10 on Australia Day! We celebrated 2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher. Also discussed my time as 2024 Joint AOTY & my brain cancer journey. Have a look: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyTW... 10play.com.au/theproject/e...

Had plenty of fun doing exercising activities with son Matt (& many other friends) over the weekend. Parkrun Saturday & a triathlon Sunday! @parkrunaustralia.bsky.social @worldtriathlon.bsky.social @trekbikes.bsky.social

It was wonderful catching up with/meeting some incredible previous Australian of the Year titleholders recently. Such amazing people who have each had a massive impact in many different aspects of our lives. I’m so proud to be an Aussie! (PS. My next scan delayed ‘til the end of next week)

Had brilliant time at wonderful 2025 Australian of the Year (AOTY) events in Canberra and Sydney last week! There r incredible people in our country who I felt honoured to meet! As 2024 AOTY awardees, Georgina and I delivered a few talks & participated in other activities as we passed the baton on.

This week, I have another MRI brain scan looking for recurrence of my brain cancer. Despite a busy and incredibly fun week at the Australian of the Year events, I am as nervous as ever! So called scanxiety lives on! Thanks everyone for your support and kindness.

Massive congrats 2025 Australian of the Year Neale Daniher AO. Thank you for being who you are. It has & continues to benefit all of us. Congrats also: Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM Senior AOTY Dr Katrina Wruck Young AOTY Vanessa Brettell & Hannah Costello Local Hero AOTY I’m proud Aussie!

Excited to be heading to Canberra to “pass the baton” to next Australian of the Year. For us it’s also been an incredible platform to spread sun safety messages to prevent melanoma. Just like last year, absolutely outstanding state winners in all categories! Here’s a few photos from last year.

National Parks around the periphery of Sydney are spectacular (nearly as good as my home state of Tassie in my biased view)! @trekbikes.bsky.social #Sydney

I enjoyed doing a radio interview with Sally Sara recently on ABC Radio National Breakfast. She asked me about my summer reading tips and a bit about my own memoir, Brainstorm, and my brain cancer journey. If you are interested, here’s a link to the interview: www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

I recently did an interview with the talented, friendly and engaging Hamish Macdonald for the Channel 10 show, The Project. The interview was to discuss my memoir Brainstorm written by Garry Maddox, a brilliant journalist! Below is a link to the TV interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4_h...

Best wishes for 2025! I recently put out memoir Brainstorm written by my friend/talented writer Garry Maddox. In late 2024, I had a wonderful chat with a very special person, Sarah Kanowski, on the Conversation on ABC Radio about my life & memoir. Link below: www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Tour de Cure incredible organisation which supports cancer patients & families/friends & raises money 4 research. I really enjoyed cycling TdC Signature Tour last 2 years. Channel 7 with Mark Beretta recently released 2024 journey- I shed many tears watching Link below: 7plus.com.au/tour-de-cure

Absolutely delighted to celebrate the festive season with our family again this year! Our family has expanded since last year with the addition of Cha Cha (our adorable cavoodle puppy). I hope everyone is enjoying their time too. Best wishes for 2025!

Earlier this week, received 10th (& last) dose of a personalised anticancer vaccine. Quite a sore arm for few days, but otherwise felt fine. I hope the vaccine can stimulate my immune system to fight my brain cancer. I also had approx 150ml blood taken for research! Many thanks to everyone involved

Blown away by passion & expertise at 6th Global Adolescence & Young Adult Cancer Congress in Melb. Amazing integration of pts, advocates, support workers, researchers & clinicians, many who are young people with lived experience as well as world experts. Greatly honoured 2 present keynote address.

I was delighted to participate again in ‘Parliamentary Friends of Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness’ event in Canberra. It was well supported by advocacy groups. Discussions raised awareness re sun safe behaviours & early detection of skin cancers. Terrific speakers incl many federal politicians.

As a cancer patient, my percept’n of life has changed & I have new insights I hadn't thought about previously. Was fortunate 2 share these at Parliament House recently where Mark Butler & I spoke. I also attended Brain Tumour Alliance Australia event. Heard v moving stories &met wonderful people.

Professor Richard Scolyer AO is the 2024 joint Australian of the Year. We chat about skin cancer therapies and immunotherapies and how Richard's research led him to his own treatment. #shirtloadsofscience 🎧Apple: apple.co/3UXoix5 🎧Android: bit.ly/3ZcyMef

V humbled 2 present inaugural Jane Dahlstrom Oration at ANU. I admire & respect Jane 4 her contributions 2 medicine. Crossing paths with her changed my life. I would never had my career if not 4 her. Jane & I recently awarded International Academy of Pathology's highest honour. Couldn't b prouder!

Fabulous to launch my memoir Brainstorm at event hosted by brilliant writer Garry Maddox. Audience seemed deeply engaged & interested in hearing about my brain cancer journey & highs & lows. I shed a few tears at times & I suspect a few in audience did too. Many lighter moments & a few laughs too.