Rare Cancers Australia (RCA) wishes to announce that Richard Vines will step down from his role as Chief Executive, effective 31 December 2023. Ms Christine Cockburn will assume the role as Chief Executive effective 1 January 2024.
“Over the past 11 years Kate and I have been fortunate to build a strong organisation that is staffed by passionate and talented professionals,” said Richard. “RCA provides care and navigation for many thousands of Australians living with rare and advancedat a late stage, far along cancers and is very proud that we can provide them with the love and support they desperately need and deserve. Additionally, RCA provides a strong voice to government and the cancer community ensuring that the needs of the rare community are heard and acted on.”
Richard will remain as Chair of the RCA Board and intends to dedicate his time to continuing to advocate for better care and access for rare cancer patients and to share his knowledge and experience with other patient groups through the RCA Pinnacle program.
“Establishing and operating a Patient Organisation brings unique challenges and much of available course material completely misses the elements most important to POs. Over the past seven years we have carried out substantial and ongoing work in this area, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. I am excited to see an increasingly strong patient voice emerging. There is, however, still a great many challenges to be addressed locally and in the region. I am very much looking forward to making an ongoing contribution to RCA’s work in this space.
“Building RCA with Kate has been a wonderful experience and we are both very proud of the organisation it has become. We are fortunate that we can step back in the knowledge that Christine will lead the RCA team with vision and commitment to achieve continued impact and improved outcomes for the rare cancer community.”