Cancer Australia today announced Nicole Livingstone OAM and Shannon Philp as the recipients of the 2019 Jeannie Ferris Cancer Australia Recognition Award. The prestigious annual Award honours individuals for excellence in the field of gynaecological cancer.
Gynaecological cancers are the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancers in women in Australia, representing nearly 10% of all diagnosed female cancer cases. It is estimated that 17 women will be diagnosed with gynaecological cancer every day this year.
“This year’s awardees have made an outstanding contribution to improving outcomes for women with gynaecological cancers. I am delighted we can acknowledge Nicole and Shannon for their inspiring leadership roles,” said Dr Helen Zorbas, outgoing CEO, Cancer Australia.
Olympic swimmer, media personality and AFL Head of Women’s Football, Nicole Livingstone has been honoured with the 2019 Jeannie Ferris Cancer Australia Recognition Award in the consumer category. This award is given to those with personal experience of the disease either as a woman who has been diagnosed, as a community or family member or carer who has been directly involved in supporting a woman with gynaecological cancer.
Nicole has used her public profile and influence for more than 20 years to raise awareness of ovarian cancer for women in the community. After the death of her mother from the disease, she co-founded Ovarian Cancer Australia in 2001 and has worked tirelessly as a patron, fundraiser and ambassador for this peak national consumer organisation. She has also been a passionate advocate for women with a family history of ovarian cancer.
Shannon Philp, a nurse practitioner at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, has been honoured with the 2019 Jeannie Ferris Cancer Australia Recognition Award in the health professional and researcher category for her contributions in the area of gynaecological cancer.
Shannon is the first nurse to be recognised with a Jeannie Ferris Cancer Australia Recognition Award since its inception. She was endorsed as Australia’s first gynaecological oncology nurse practitioner in 2012. Shannon has provided specialised nursing care for over 24 years to improve the experiences and outcomes for women affected by gynaecological cancer. Shannon’s leadership has had a broad impact, having mentored, and supervised numerous nurses undertaking postgraduate studies, and her contributions have been saluted with numerous awards.
Established in 2013, the Jeannie Ferris Cancer Australia Recognition Award is named in honour of the late Jeannie Ferris, Senator for South Australia, who was passionately committed to raising awareness about gynaecological cancers. Senator Ferris was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2005 and passed away in April 2007.
Gynaecological cancer is an overarching term used to describe cancer of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina and vulva, as well other female genital organs and placenta (a pregnancy related cancer).