Scott's Story

When Scott noticed his energy levels were dipping and his memory wasn’t quite right, the 39-year-old put it down to the demands of raising a young family and a thriving business. Life was busy, full and moving fast.

But a routine health test uncovered the unthinkable—a brain tumour.

“When I heard those words, my whole life changed in that moment. I got tunnel vision. I couldn’t process it.”

In the days and weeks that followed, Scott did everything he could to stay strong for his wife, and his children, aged just two and four. He showed up, kept smiling and carried on. But beneath the surface, fear took hold.

The five-year survival rate for brain cancer is heartbreakingly low—just over 22%—and the chance of recurrence is high. For families like Scott’s, those statistics are not just numbers; they are a reality they are forced to face.

Mater Researchers are working to change this.

“Scott has already benefited from research—the precision technique used to remove the tumour and minimise damage to surrounding healthy tissue has been informed by research,” said Professor Allison Pettit, Executive Director of Mater Research.

“But brain cancer also has a high chance of recurrence, so understanding why DNA mutates and causes healthy cells to become cancerous is vital, and it’s something the team at Mater Research is focusing on. If we can unlock the answers, it could potentially help millions of cancer patients.”

Today, Scott’s scans are clear, but his cancer journey continues. He lives with some minor cognitive and memory issues, and the knowledge that the cancer could return. Regular check-ups are now part of his life.

Despite everything, Scott considers himself one of the lucky ones. He is looking ahead, preparing to welcome a new baby, and continuing to grow his successful real estate business.

Right now, more people are facing the same fear Scott once did. Your support can help change what happens next.

When you buy a Mater Cars for Cancer ticket, you are helping to fuel lifesaving research, earlier detection, and better treatments for patients like Scott. Thank you.

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