Who we are
Pancare Foundation is a leading Australian charity accelerating change for people affected by upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers. With some of the lowest survival rates of all major cancers, Pancare is dedicated to improving outcomes through awareness, patient support and world-class research. Through its Support program, Pancare provides a comprehensive suite of services to patients and families from diagnosis to treatment and beyond, offering access to specialised nurses, counselling, support groups, educational webinars and a dedicated online hub of information and resources. In parallel, Pancare invests in pioneering research at Australia’s top institutions, advancing early detection, new treatments, personalised medicine and optimal patient care through its six key research focus areas. United by lived and professional experience, the Pancare community, including patients, supporters, partners and researchers—is driven by one shared mission: to inspire hope, improve survival and transform the future for Australians impacted by upper GI cancers.
Pancare Team
Our Board of Directors
Doug Hawkins
CEO
Clive Appleton
Chairman
Prof Mehrdad Nikfarjam OAM MD, PhD, FACS, FRACS
Founder
Rod Cairnduff
Treasurer
Douglas Rowe
Paul McDonald
Angeline Nicholas
Kate O’Sullivan
Meet our CEO
Doug specialises in design and delivery of business transformation programs designed to commercialise innovation and accelerate growth.
Doug has lived and worked in Australia, Europe, Asia and the UK serving as an Executive, Senior Manager and CEO Advisor to innovative multinational corporations such as Hutchison Telecoms, Telecom Asia, Orange, British Telecom, AOL, EDS, Hewlett Packard, Arkadin & NTT. Doug also served as CEO of a BRW Fast 100 technology services company and led a two year transformation of a prominent global online ecommerce & business networking platform within the entertainment industry.
Doug is a graduate of several world class executive programs covering New Venturing, Global Business Transformation, Leadership, Innovation and M&A from the prestigious Harvard Business School, London Business School and Arhus University, Denmark. Doug also holds an Master in Business Administration (MBA).
Doug is leading Pancare’s current transformation program to scale its patient and carer services nationally and increase funding to support Pancare’s research investment in line with the charity’s strategic objectives.
Clive Appleton
Clive Appleton has extensive experience in property and funds management and property development, having worked for several of Australia’s leading retail property investment, management and development groups. Clive’s executive experience includes Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director roles with Gandel Retail Trust, Jennings Group, The Gandel Group Pty Limited and APN Property Group. In addition to his Chair position on the Board of Pancare, Clive also holds Directorships, Executive Positions and Advisory Roles as Chairman of Aspen Group, Deputy Chairman of The Gandel Group Pty Limited, Director of APN Property Group Limited, Perth Airport Pty Ltd and Perth Airport Development Group Pty Ltd.
“I am honoured to be serving as Chair of the Pancare Foundation Board. This wonderful organisation that is devoted to both research and care forthose directly impacted by pancreatic cancer has an important role to playin our society. It is vital that we continue the search to find a cure; we must redouble our effort to eradicate these diseases forever.”
Prof Mehrdad Nikfarjam OAM MD, PhD, FACS, FRACS
Dr Mehrdad Nikfarjam is one of the country’s leading liver, pancreas and biliary surgeons with extensive training and education, gained in both Australia and the USA. His belief has always been that no cancer patient should be denied an opportunity for the best available care. He completed his medical degree MBBS (Hons) at Monash University in 1997. During his surgical training that followed he was awarded a PhD from University of Melbourne, supported by a Surgeon Scientist Scholarship from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (R.A.C.S). He completed his surgical Fellowship in Australia in 2007 (F.R.A.C.S), before continuing with specialist’s surgical training in the USA.
He has publications in leading surgical journals, including the highest ranked surgical journal, Annals of Surgery and he has been involved in pancreatic cancer studies published in the highest ranked journal, Nature. He is the lead investigator on several prospective studies on the treatment of pancreatic and liver disorders and is collaborator on the pancreatic genome project with the Garvin Institute, NSW. Dr Mehrdad Nikfarjam has also contributed to the supervision of several surgical trainees, Honours and PhD students.
Rod Cairnduff
Rod Cairnduff is a CPA with more than 25 years’ experience working across the finance sector. For the past six years Rod has run his own firm while serving on the board of a number of not-for-profits, giving valuable advice and direction in regard to financial sustainability and longevity.
Douglas Rowe
Douglas’ experience in the metals industry began with his family’s Victorian business since 1977, which led to a management role with the Poseidon Group of Companies before moving to the mining, mineral and metal oxide industry. Douglas founded Southern Recycling in 1992 and Ecocycle Industries in 1996. Douglas founded Recycal in late 2010 and took over his old silver and mercury business CMA Ecocycle in late 2013; growing each nationally. Douglas enjoys devoting his time to those less fortunate and is involved in a number of charities and mentoring programs.
Paul McDonald
Douglas’ experience in the metals industry began with his family’s Victorian business since 1977, which led to a management role with the Poseidon Group of Companies before moving to the mining, mineral and metal oxide industry. Douglas founded Southern Recycling in 1992 and Ecocycle Industries in 1996. Douglas founded Recycal in late 2010 and took over his old silver and mercury business CMA Ecocycle in late 2013; growing each nationally. Douglas enjoys devoting his time to those less fortunate and is involved in a number of charities and mentoring programs.
Angeline Nicholas
Angeline Nicholas is currently Head of Digital Advertising at The Australian (News Corp) and specialises in digital strategy and operations. Having held leadership positions at eBay, Qantas.com and Federal Government, she is a great supporter of non-profits utilising online assets to champion their cause. She has a Masters of Commerce (International Business) and Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from the University of NSW and has held director positions on boards both in Australia and in the UK.
Kate O’Sullivan
Kate O’Sullivan is a seasoned Executive General Manager and CEO, recognised for her exceptional ability to lead both strategic and operational teams. Her current roles include serving as a Board Director at the Essendon Football Club, Chairperson of the Prahran Market Board Pty Ltd, and Director at the Melbourne Royal, among other prestigious leadership positions. Her areas of expertise span investment, marketing, client relationship management, and business strategy.
Want to talk?
Speak to an upper GI cancer nurse or counsellor, we're here to provide you with the support you need. Support available to anyone impacted by upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
