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Consumer Advocates

2013-Mary join our group in early 2013 with the aim of helping us further our research from a consumer viewpoint. Originally trained with a degree in biochemistry and microbiology, Mary worked for a number of years in  routine hospital biochemistry and hematology, with research in Australia and London (cardiac, hematology unit).

Later in her career after starting a family, Mary undertook an Advanced Diploma in Social Science (Community Welfare), followed by training in Clinical Pastoral Care.


"For a number of years I have been involved in general health advocacy and mental health as an Official Visitor in the Mental Health Services. Following a diagnosis of cancer myself, and my husband having a melanoma removed, it seemed right to be involved in some way with cancer advocacy." - Mary Potter

Mary is currently a member of the Steering Committee for Consumers Heath Forum (CHF) overseeing website and workshops for consumer advocates. She is also a member of Cancer Voices and Cancer Council NSW.

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2014-Present. 
Sue joined the team in 2013 as she became a Consumer member of the TCRN Consumer Advisory Committee and following her intense interest in preventing and helping patients with oral cancer.

With two Degrees, one in Science and one in Industrial Relations, but now retired, Sue has the knowledge, skills and time plus firsthand experience as a patient of a variety of cancer treatments and interventions to advocate strongly on behalf of cancer patients.

Sue is also a member of Cancer Voices and has undertaken the NSW Cancer Council’s Training for Consumers involved in Research. Sue is a member of Health Consumers NSW and strongly believes in the rights of patients to be actively involved in health outcomes.

Sue will bring a life time worth of patient experience to the team to help develop the research biomarker theme.

TCRN Link-member-profile-sue-suchy​

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The TCRN promotes meaningful and sustainable partnerships between consumers and translational cancer researchers from within our membership, under the belief that the design and outcomes of research undertaken with consumer involvement will translate more effectively into improved clinical practice and subsequently better address the needs of people affected by cancer.

What is consumer engagement?Consumer Engagement is a partnership between researchers and consumers to improve decisions on cancer research priorities, practice and policies.

Consumers might be patients or at risk individuals; carers; organisations representing cancer consumer interests; members of the public who are targets of cancer promotion programs; or groups affected in a specific way as a result of cancer policy, treatments or services.

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TCRN news links
 http://tcrn.unsw.edu.au/august-2014
 http://tcrn.unsw.edu.au/news/hsa-biobank-series-biobank-supports-new-cancer-discoveries

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