The VCCC Alliance is pleased to announce Sarah Lukeman and Melissa Sheldon have been appointed as lived experience co-leads of the Empowering Regional Cancer Care Project.
The project is a national initiative led by the VCCC Alliance and funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care. It aims to build capability in Australia’s regional, rural and remote cancer workforce through targeted education, digital resources and a national community of practice.
Sarah and Melissa join Dr Sam Harris, the VCCC Alliance Regional and Rural Research and Education Lead in driving this project, focused on delivering a National Regional Workforce Education Support Strategy.
Sarah is a Patient Perspective Partner with the NSW Regional Health Partners, with a decade of experience as a health consumer advocate. She is passionate about improving cancer prevention, screening and care for people living in regional and rural Australia.
Melissa is a proud Wemba Wemba woman and consumer advocate leader with experience across the VCCC Alliance, Echuca Regional Health, and the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Advocacy Network, and is committed to enhancing health care for all in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Together, they will bring their expertise to guide the project strategically, champion the needs and values of regional and rural communities and ensure that lived experience is embedded within all aspects of this project.
Upcoming initiatives will include the RECAP Journal Club podcast series and the next national Regional Cancer Forum on 26 March 2026, focusing on Building a Sustainable Regional Cancer Workforce: Clinical Burnout and Wellbeing.
