Chairman of the Children’s Cancer Foundation, Jeremy Smith, will step down from his position at the end of 2023, following 15 years of service to the Foundation and its previous entities. He will be succeeded by Hon. Jaala Pulford, one of the Children’s Cancer Foundation’s independent non-executive directors.
First joining the board in 2009, Jeremy Smith has served as Chairman of the Children’s Cancer Foundation for 11 years, as well as Chairman of The Million Dollar Lunch Committee for the past 8 years.
Under his stewardship the Children’s Cancer Foundation has become one of the most successful childhood cancer fundraising and advocacy charities in Australia, securing more than $76 million. This remarkable achievement made possible by fundraising over $32 million and securing $9.6 million in Federal Government Funding and a further $35 million in Victorian State Government Funding.
During Mr Smith’s time as Chair the Children’s Cancer Foundation has successfully delivered much needed funding to childhood cancer clinical research, clinical trials, clinical care and family support.
His leadership has guided the following:
Incoming Chair Hon. Jaala Pulford, commended Mr Smith for his leadership and the profound impact he has had on the lives of families devasted by childhood cancer.
“Jeremy has been an exceptional custodian of the Foundation, his passion and energy for the fight against childhood cancer has positively impacted so many children and their families. I am honoured to follow in Jeremy’s footsteps as Chair and look forward to continuing his great work as we strive for a world free of childhood cancer”.
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Professor Doug Hilton, AO, former Director of WEHI and current Chief Executive of CSIRO, acknowledged Jeremy’s work:
“It’s been a privilege to work with Jeremy over the last few years. His vision to reimagine children’s cancer research in Victoria has been the impetus for bringing researchers together into the VPCC. The Foundation, under Jeremy’s leadership, has become the catalyst that will deliver better outcomes for kids with cancer and their families.”
Gillon McLachlan, former Chief Executive Officer of the AFL and Patron of the Children’s Cancer Foundation, paid tribute to Jeremy:
“Jeremy Smith has been an extraordinary chair of the CCF, delivering what first class leaders do. Results. His quiet determination, collegiate nature, personal experience, easy charm, and superior values were his weapons, and the beneficiaries were the victims of cancer, their families and cancer research. He made a huge difference.”
Mary McGowan OAM, Foundation Director and International Childhood Cancer Advocate thanked Jeremy:
“Jeremy Smith is one amazing father who not only advocated for improved care and support for his own son diagnosed with a childhood cancer but for all childhood cancer families that he came in touch with during his family’s journey.
Jeremy is a focused and passionate individual who always cared for those working or experiencing the childhood cancer world. He came to the Board with a goal to make the childhood cancer world more open and raise awareness for all involved.
He and his wife Marita worked well together to grow the Foundation and The Million Dollar Lunch. He’s a good listener and during his time as Captain of the Foundation he worked closely with his crew.
Because of his endeavours the awareness and support for childhood cancer has greatly improved.”
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