My name is Renee Gosney, and I was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer in April 2019 at the age of 25—completely out of the blue. I underwent major surgery, 4x cycles of chemotherapy over 3 months, and about six months after completing treatment, I was told my cancer was undetectable.

During my treatment, I found it difficult to connect with other young patients facing similar experiences. That led me to seek out organisations that could provide support, which is how I discovered the Queensland Youth Cancer Services Youth Advisory Group (QYCS). I first joined as a member and not long after became co-chair, a role I held for four years until finishing at the end of last year. Through this role, I was actively involved in patient advocacy, helping to create better support networks for young people navigating cancer treatment and survivorship.

As part of my journey, I also underwent genetic testing, which deepened my interest in genomics and its role in cancer treatment and awareness. My involvement allowed me to advocate for greater awareness and accessibility to genetic testing, particularly for young patients facing similar diagnoses. I am passionate about ensuring that others have access to the same resources and information that helped me through my own experience.

Today, I am still cancer-free and undergoing regular surveillance. Outside of personal advocacy, I now run my own business—a reflection of my lifelong love for pets. As they have been my rock throughout my entire journey, providing comfort and companionship from the very beginning.

Renee Gosney https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-gosney/
WoohooPets https://woohoopets.com/

Our work at Patient Voice Initiative is only possible thanks to the generous support of our Sponsors; for a full list of both our Gold and Silver contributors, please visit our Website.

Find out more about PVI by visiting our website https://www.patientvoiceinitiative.org/

Dr. Shyamsundar Muthuramalingam (Shyam) holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry and is a kidney transplant recipient with personal experience in Haemodialysis (HD) and kidney disease.

He is a key figure in consumer engagement strategies in healthcare, working with the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA), South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), The George Institute for Global Health, and Kidney Health Australia (KHA).

Dr. Muthuramalingam is a consumer member of the National Clinical Advisory Committee at KHA and the Australian Medical Council, representing the community in the accreditation of medical degrees. He also serves on the NHMRC-MRFF Interim Consumer Advisory Network. Shyam is also a member of Australian Clinical Trials Alliance’s Consumer Engagement, Equity, and Diversity Working Group, contributing to recommendations for improving clinical trial participation among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. In partnership with PRAXIS, Shyam conducts workshops on Enhancing Consumer and Community Engagement in Clinical Trials, aimed at Clinical Trial Coordinators, Managers, early-career staff, and Research Managers.

Dr. Shyamsundar Muthuramalingam https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-muthuramalingam/

Our work at Patient Voice Initiative is only possible thanks to the generous support of our Sponsors; for a full list of both our Gold and Silver contributors, please visit our Website.

Find out more about PVI by visiting our website https://www.patientvoiceinitiative.org/

Kate is a bestselling author, award-winning podcast host & founder of The Milkshakes for Marleigh blood donation advocacy movement. She is on a mission to end persistent critical blood shortages in Australia and around the world. Kate’s work is inspired by her eight-year-old daughter Marleigh who lives with Autoimmune Encephalitis and is dependent on Australian plasma donors to survive.

In May 2024, Kate was invited to address the Women Changing the World Summit in London and was awarded the Global Impact Award: Non-Profit of the Year, 2024.

At the AusMumpreneur conference and awards in Melbourne, August, 2024, Kate was named: Woman Changing the World of the Year, 2024; Author of the Year, 2024; and Podcast of the Year, 2024.

Kate’s book called Milkshakes for Marleigh tells extraordinary tales of survival thanks to Australian blood donors, is available in all good bookstores now!

Kate Fisher https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-fisher-271b93116/
Milkshakes for Marleigh https://milkshakesformarleigh.org/

Our work at Patient Voice Initiative is only possible thanks to the generous support of our Sponsors; for a full list of both our Gold and Silver contributors, please visit our Website.

Find out more about PVI by visiting our website https://www.patientvoiceinitiative.org/