Much has changed regarding cancer outcomes since I started my journey two decades ago. I see our role as centred around helping educate community. We help to slowly change the cancer perception – we now know many cancers can be seen as a chronic health condition. I talk openly about my experience, I share my journey, my ongoing therapy, and how my experience has positively changed how I live, while understanding the prognosis of some cancers remains poor.
Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2002, with subsequent recurrence in 2007 and 2015, Sam Schwarz has experience as a patient at Peter Mac and at a private health service. He has experienced chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and continues to have regular immunoglobulin therapy.
Sam began his career as a music educator, before moving to the feature film industry (music editor) and commercial theatre business (producer). After working at Disney Theatrical, Sam moved into corporate roles in senior HR and transformation roles, including a short period leading the People & Culture team at Peter Mac just prior to its move from East Melbourne to Parkville. Sam currently leads Serco’s Regional & Remote Health business.
Sam Schwarz joined Peter Mac’s Community Advisory Committee in 2019. He is also involved in a number of other consumer roles, including membership of the Peter Mac Board Quality Committee and Peter Mac’s Human Research Ethics Committee.