Carrie Bickmore Named 2026 Australian of the Year for Victoria
Broadcaster and cancer fundraiser Carrie Bickmore OAM was honoured as the 2026 Australian of the Year for Victoria at a ceremony in Melbourne on November 6.
Personal Reflection and Acceptance Speech
"It's really bittersweet to be honest, because I wouldn't be here unless my late husband had died," Ms Bickmore shared during her acceptance speech. "And so, while I graciously accept the award, if I could go back and make that little 21-year-old young Carrie not have to watch her boyfriend have a seizure in bed and then endure a nine-year battle with brain cancer, I would do that."
Contributions to Brain Cancer Research
Since 2015, Bickmore has raised over $27 million toward brain cancer research, demonstrating her relentless dedication to this cause.
"We bat above our average in this country when it comes to medical research and science, we are extraordinary," she said. "Our brain cancer centre has some of the greatest minds in this country at the moment. We have clinical trials happening, which is not something I could have ever imagined, that will hopefully one day save lives."
The Brain Cancer Centre Initiative
In 2021, Carrie Bickmore established The Brain Cancer Centre to unite top researchers nationwide. The centre supports various research projects and is pioneering clinical trials for brain cancer patients—the first of their kind globally.
Summary
Carrie Bickmore’s recognition reflects her profound impact on brain cancer research and her commitment to advancing science through collaboration and clinical innovation.
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