Richard Scolyer, the former Australian of the Year, has shared that his fight against aggressive brain cancer is nearing an "end point." The esteemed pathologist was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2023 and was initially given a prognosis of six to eight months to live. However, he managed to delay the progression of the disease for nearly two years through groundbreaking experimental immunotherapy. Unfortunately, the cancer returned earlier this year.

Speaking at an event with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Scolyer described his health journey as "tough." He reflected on the time following his diagnosis, stating, "I had a great period after I was initially diagnosed and could enjoy life, but I've had a few recurrences of the tumour. I guess there's an end point, and who knows how far it is away. But we're definitely getting closer."

During the event, the federal government announced the establishment of a new position in Scolyer's honor at The Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, a cancer treatment center in Sydney. The Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research aims to accelerate research into glioblastoma, expand clinical trials, and improve patient outcomes. The initiative will receive $5.9 million in federal funding.

The center is named after Chris O'Brien, a head and neck surgeon who passed away after battling an aggressive brain tumor. Scolyer noted that O'Brien had a significant influence on his career, saying, "He mentored me, we researched together, we did a lot of things. For him to end up getting brain cancer and passing away from it, and then to follow in his footsteps many years down the track has been heartbreaking."

In 2024, Scolyer was jointly named Australian of the Year alongside Georgina Long for their contributions to advanced melanoma research, which has greatly improved survival rates for the disease. Prime Minister Albanese remarked on Scolyer's humility, recalling that even moments before the announcement, Scolyer expressed doubts about having the position named after him. "It really does say something about the humility of this extraordinary gentleman… that as late as just inside my office he was still saying 'it shouldn't really be named after me.'"

Despite his personal struggles, Scolyer emphasized that the focus should be on the potential impact of the new research chair rather than on his name. "I want to make a difference for people, and I've dedicated my life to doing that… my name to it or not, that's not where the difference happens," he stated. He expressed hope that the challenges associated with brain cancer, which have been difficult to address in the past, can be tackled in the future. "So I sincerely hope that's what happens over the next few years."