2002: Cancer communicator

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Tags: winter-2012

Ben Bravery, Bachelor of Science

Ben Bravery

Ben Bravery has embarked on an inspirational mission to raise awareness of colorectal cancer after he was diagnosed with the illness in January last year at the age of 28.

Far from being defeated, he is initiating a range of fundraising activities to support others with the condition.

After he was diagnosed last year, Mr Bravery ran 14km in the Melbourne City2Sea race to raise money for The Warwick Foundation – an organisation supporting young adults (aged 18-40) with cancer.

He raised $6000 for the foundation and began applying his science communication skills as a volunteer for The Warwick Foundation while undergoing chemotherapy.

“There is simply not enough written about young adults with cancer, despite the fact we are the fastest-growing demographic of patients and our survival has only improved one percent in 30 years (in comparison to 30 percent better odds for older people and children over the same period),” Mr Bravery said.

“I have decided to be quite open about my cancer and treatment and have started a science communication blog to help others learn about cancer,” he said.

“The blog is re-posted in different cancer and health forums and is well received. Even my treatment team read it.”

Upon graduating from UQ in 2002, Mr Bravery worked for the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage for one year before completing a postgraduate qualification with the Australian National University in science communication.

He also travelled to China as an AusAid Australian Youth Ambassador for Development, where he worked at a nature reserve set up to protect an endangered deer population on the island of Hainan.

He later took up a position with the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, as managing editor of a peer-reviewed international zoological journal.

Still based in Beijing, he established his own science communication company in 2009 offering science marketing, media and editing to Chinese researchers and science workshops to local schools.

Mr Bravery says he holds fond memories of his time at UQ.

“I loved learning about animals and the environment at UQ. I enjoyed studying at such a beautiful campus,” he said.

“I still have a close relationship with my honours’ supervisor, Associate Professor Anne Goldizen. I visit her on campus when I am in Brisbane and we have caught up here in Melbourne when she is in town.”

Mr Bravery says he is sustained by his loving partner, Canadian journalist Sana Qadar, and an ongoing drive to get the message out about cancer rates in young adults.

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