Cancer Council CEO receives international nursing award

Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Sanchia Aranda was presented with Distinguished Merit Award by the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care at their annual conference in Hong Kong earlier this month.

Offered every two years in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the international advancement of the science and art of cancer nursing, the award acknowledges Professor Aranda’s extensive experience in cancer control as a clinician, researcher, educator and senior healthcare administrator.

Chair of Cancer Council Australia’s Board, the Hon. Nicola Roxon, said that Professor Aranda was a leader in her field and that the award was well-deserved recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cancer nursing profession.

“Professor Aranda first started her career as a registered nurse in New Zealand – and from there developed a specialisation in cancer control and palliative care.

“As well as holding senior roles in health system administration, over the past 30 years she has been recognised as a leading nursing educator and influential and passionate voice on cancer control.”

“The Board of Cancer Council Australia is extremely proud to see Professor Aranda recognised in this way and Australia is privileged to have a recognised world leader advocating for cancer patients and their families.”

As well as being CEO, Cancer Council Australia, Professor Aranda is President Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control and was formerly Deputy CEO at the Cancer Institute NSW.

Professor Aranda was also previously President of the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care.

Professor Aranda said she was both delighted and humbled to have been chosen for the award.

"I discovered my passion for caring for people with cancer through nursing," she said. "My early experience in cancer and palliative care nursing has underpinned my research, my work in health administration and now my role at Cancer Council Australia.

"It's an honour to receive an award that recognises how the role of nurses in improving cancer care can extend beyond hospital wards."

Professor Aranda has previously been recognised nationally in 2013 when she was named the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Distinguished Fellow for her contributions to cancer nursing.

As well as being a research fellow at the Peter Mac, she holds academic appointments at the School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne and University of Sydney.