Prestigious award for Cancer Council CEO

Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Sanchia Aranda, is to be presented with the Distinguished Merit Award by the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care.

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.

From her early training as a registered nurse in New Zealand, Professor Aranda developed a specialisation in cancer control and palliative care, completing a Bachelor of Applied Science, Master of Nursing and Doctor of Philosophy.

Professor Aranda has extensive experience in health-system administration and prior to her appointment last year as Cancer Council Australia CEO, was Director of Cancer Services and Information and Deputy CEO at the Cancer Institute NSW. She is also President-elect of the Union for International Cancer Control.

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.

Professor Aranda will be presented with her award at the International Conference on Cancer Nursing in Hong Kong later this year.

For more information visit the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care.