Congratulations to Lisa Briggs for winning the 2025 Jeannie Ferris Award! Her incredible work as a patient advocate, which stemmed from her lived experience with lung cancer, has made a transformative impact on the Australian cancer landscape. This award is a testament to the idea that anyone, especially those with personal experience, can drive significant and meaningful change in healthcare.
The Jeannie Ferris Award, established in 2013, recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving equity of outcomes for people with cancer. Lisa was a recipient in the “Members of the community” category, which acknowledges individuals with personal cancer experience, or those who are family members or carers involved in supporting people with cancer.
The Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia (TOGA) is honoured to have nominated Lisa for her advocacy and achievements in change for lung cancer care. Lisa’s tireless advocacy has led to several significant accomplishments:
- Improving Access to Medications: Lisa spearheaded a national campaign to ensure ALK-positive lung cancer patients had equitable access to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), successfully advocating for 3-monthly prescriptions instead of monthly dispensing. This change significantly reduced travel and financial burdens, particularly for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations and those in rural and remote areas.
- Shaping Clinical Research: As a consumer representative for groups like the TOGA, Lisa played a crucial role in shaping clinical trials, such as the DYNAMALK trial. She successfully advocated for the inclusion of pre-treated patients and co-led fundraising efforts to expand the trial’s scope. Her contributions extend to co-authoring nine publications, many of which influenced patient-centred cancer research.
- Dismantling Stigma and Building Community: Lisa has been a powerful voice in confronting the stigma associated with lung cancer, sharing her personal story in public campaigns and media appearances to foster more empathetic conversations. She re-launched the Love & Light Lung Cancer Support Group, offering a hybrid model to ensure accessibility for individuals in regional and remote areas or those too unwell for in-person attendance.
- Influencing Policy and Patient Voice: Lisa has actively worked to amplify patient voices in policy, helping patients navigate the complexities of Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) submissions and co-organising events that brought patients directly to policymakers. She also recruited diverse consumer representatives for the Victoria Lung Cancer Summit, ensuring a broad range of patient perspectives shaped the agenda.
- National and International Impact: Lisa’s influence extends beyond Australia, with presentations at the International Lung Cancer Network (ILCN) and involvement in international organizations like the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
Lisa’s commitment to improving equity in cancer care is further demonstrated through her voluntary work and numerous leadership positions, including Deputy Chair of ALK Positive Australia and Chief Investigator and Chair of the Consumer Committee for the TRACKER Lung Cancer Biobank.
Dr Megan Sanders, CEO of TOGA, highlighted Lisa’s commitment, stating, “Across all these contributions, Lisa gives 110%. She is deeply committed to ensuring no one with lung cancer is left behind”.
Her dedication to connecting people, amplifying lived experience, and driving lasting change truly makes her an outstanding leader in cancer advocacy and health equity in Australia.
Professor Thomas John, Lisa’s treating medical oncologist and Scientific Committee Chair at TOGA, summarized Lisa’s impact: “She is not only a survivor, but a leader and a changemaker”.
Lisa’s recognition with the 2025 Jeannie Ferris Award serves as an inspiring example of how individuals with lived experience can become powerful catalysts for change in healthcare.
