Nominations open for 2025 Jeannie Ferris Award: Honouring champions of equitable cancer care

Nominations open for 2025 Jeannie Ferris Award: Honouring champions of equitable cancer care 

Today, World Cancer Day, Cancer Australia is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Jeannie Ferris Award, recognising individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving equity in cancer outcomes  

The Jeannie Ferris Award aligns with the Australian Cancer Plan’s goal of reducing inequities across all cancers and acknowledges the contributions of consumers, health professionals and researchers in improving outcomes for all Australians. 

Nominations for the 2025 Jeannie Ferris Award are open until 5:00 pm (AEST) on Friday, 11 April 2025. The nomination forms and detailed submission guidelines can be found on the Cancer Australia website. 

The Jeannie Ferris Award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving outcomes for people with cancers in two categories:  

• Category 1 - Members of the community: those with personal experience of cancer, as a person with a diagnosis of cancer; or as a community member, family member, or carer who has been involved in the support and care of people with cancer.  

• Category 2 - Health professionals and researchers: researchers and health professionals of all disciplines involved in cancer research or clinical care, including (but not limited to) specialists, primary care practitioners, nursing, and allied health professionals.  

Nominations are particularly encouraged for those whose service has led to improved outcomes for priority populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

Established in 2013, the Jeannie Ferris Award is named after the late Jeannie Ferris, Senator for South Australia, who was passionately committed to raising awareness about gynaecological cancers. The Award continues Senator Ferris’s legacy. Senator Ferris was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2005 and passed away in April 2007. 

Quotes attributable to Cancer Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor Dorothy Keefe:   

“On this World Cancer Day, I am pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2025 Jeannie Ferris Award – a powerful opportunity to recognise and celebrate those people who are transforming cancer care, through their dedication, compassion and commitment to equity.  

“Through this award, we ensure that the late Senator Jeannie Ferris's legacy of compassion, courage, and systemic change lives on, supporting those who work tirelessly to make cancer care more equitable for all Australians." 

“The efforts by exceptional individuals who have received the Jeannie Ferris Awards in the past are a reminder that we all need to work together to bring about a world where standards of cancer care and outcomes are equal for all Australians, regardless of who or where they are. 

“If you know someone who has made substantial contributions to improving equity of cancer outcomes, consider nominating them now.  Join us in recognising the champions of cancer care and advocacy who continue the work begun by Jeannie Ferris.” 

Cancer Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected by all cancers, and their families and carers. Cancer Australia aims to reduce the impact of cancer, address disparities and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer by leading and coordinating national, evidence-based interventions across the continuum of care. www.canceraustralia.gov.au @canceraustralia