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Simon Waring
Consumer Representative
Simon Waring’s personal experience of oncology and palliative care has driven his efforts in palliative care advocacy. Simons son Marmaduke was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 15 months and died three years later. Within five weeks, tragedy struck again, with Simon’s wife succumbing to breast cancer. While his family’s experience of adult palliative care was restricted in scope, flexibility and length, their experience of paediatric palliative care in both the hospital and at home, however, was highly involved, lengthy and positive. The short film ‘Marmaduke’s Story’ is used in hospitals and universities to educate students and staff about Palliative Care.
Simon has advocated about palliative care issues since 2015 to help educate politicians, medical professionals and the public on the importance and impact of palliative care to patients, families and the community. He has addressed a Senate committee twice at Parliament House in Canberra, and in November 2018 presented on End Of Life issues at the 50th SIOP Paediatric Oncology Conference in Kyoto.
Simon is a member of Palliative Care Australia’s national consumer panel, and hopes to contribute to the continued growth, promotion and acceptance of palliative care.
With a background in marketing and communications, Simon works as a professional speaker to educate audiences on resilience, and finding positive ways to navigate major change. Simon also volunteers in parent advisory group at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where he assists other families navigating the oncology journey.
