South Australian Social and Behavioural Cancer Research Symposium 2027

Diagnosed with head and neck cancer at age 28, Dan turned his experience into a lifelong commitment to educating about the realities of the cancer experience. Dan is a PhD candidate at Adelaide University where his research explores how lived-experience consumers use their stories with healthcare students to foster empathy and intent toward person-centred care. Dan is the research and evaluation manager for Breast Cancer Network Australia, Chair of the Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy & Research Consumer Advisory Group and Chair of Cancer Voices SA. His work has always advocated for genuine consumer partnership in research, education, and policy to create systems that listen, learn, and care.

Liana is an adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivor, advocate, creative, and fundraising and events professional. As Chair of the Youth Advisory Group (SA/NT) for the Youth Cancer Service, she brings lived experience to conversations about what young people need during and after treatment. Having navigated survivorship as a young adult, and seen it through the eyes of a patient, an advocate and a fundraiser, she has learnt how community, creativity and connection can turn pain into power. It is why she is passionate about making survivorship care a priority and wants to build spaces where young survivors belong.

Leigh Aitken is a two-time cancer survivor. Aged 62, Leigh is father to 2 adult children, 3 step children and is soon-to-be a first time grandfather. He works as a Business Coach for Many Rivers, a not-for-profit supporting disadvantaged Australians with a business idea, to get that business off the ground. Prior to this, Leigh was self-employed, providing training and coaching to nearly 10,000 people over an 18 year period. An avid tennis player, Leigh is a Life Member of the Colonel Light West Tennis Club and current player. Leigh volunteers with Operation Flinders - a wilderness therapy program for at-risk youth and over the past 15 years has performed a number of roles including wilderness guide, team leader and more recently, has transitioned to senior leadership roles. As you might imagine Leigh enjoys hiking, bushwalking and camping. Leigh also volunteers with Cancer Council's Cancer Connect program, supporting people with a cancer diagnosis and their families.