James Butler OAM was diagnosed with late-stage Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (stage 4) in the early nineties. After a period of intensive chemotherapy, he achieved remission for four years before experiencing a recurrence. At that point, he underwent an autologous bone marrow transplant, which was successful. Since then, James has shared his cancer journey by supporting other patients facing a range of cancers. Professionally, James has run his own business in the building and leisure industries for over 30 years and brings extensive experience from various roles in sales. After participating in a support group, James decided to begin working with Cancer Council NSW, primarily in fundraising. He later became involved with Relay For Life, serving as chair and committee member for more than twenty years, including chairing a statewide Relay For Life advisory committee. During this time, James was invited to undertake training and became both an advocate and a consumer representative. He has been an active advocate in cancer for over two decades, contributing to improvements in services for cancer patients and related issues. James also became involved in consumer participation in research and has chaired the Cancer Council NSW Consumers in Research Panel for many years. He is currently the Chair of the Daffodil Centre Consumer Panel.
As a cancer survivor, James has always felt a strong urge, perhaps even an obligation, to do whatever he can to help improve the way cancer impacts people’s lives. Throughout his own cancer journey, he witnessed firsthand the difference research can make. The treatments available during his remission were vastly different from those at the time of his bone marrow transplant, which had not been an option at his initial diagnosis. James hopes that, through his roles as a consumer in research, he can offer researchers the invaluable perspective of lived experience and put a human face to a cancer diagnosis. He also believes that those who survive cancer owe it, where possible, to do as much as they can to ensure that those who come after them are in a better position to succeed in their own cancer journey.