Our Ambassadors play a vital role in championing our cause – raising awareness of pancreatic cancer, its often-overlooked symptoms, and the profound impact it has on individuals, families, and communities. By sharing their stories and lending their voices, they help shine a light on a disease that too often goes unheard. Their advocacy is crucial in driving the support and funding needed to improve survival rates. We are proud and deeply honoured to stand alongside them.
Judi Adams
Lived experience ambassador
Judi Adams has a long history of volunteering in the community. For over 20 years, she has been an advocate and actively promoted not-for-profit charity and voluntary organisations. Judi was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2021. Initial suspicion by her GP of a possible stomach virus led to further tests which found a lesion on her pancreas. It was only during a surgical procedure to conduct a biopsy, that pancreatic cancer was detected. Since this diagnosis, Judi has pivoted and turned her attention to providing a consumer voice, participating in research studies, raising the profile and awareness of pancreatic cancer in the community, sharing her story via Pankind, QIMR Berghofer and the Cancer Council of Tasmania. Judi was awarded the 2018 Tasmanian Local Hero for the National Australia Day Council, and Australian of the Year Awards, and was chosen by QIMR Berghofer as the 2022 QIMR Berghofer Humanitarian Award Recipient, as well as having been named as Glenorchy Citizen of the Year in 2014 for her voluntary community activities. In 2023, Judi became an Ambassador for Pankind and has spoken about her experiences with a life changing diagnosis to raise awareness in the community about pancreatic cancer.
Caroline Kelly
Founding ambassador
Caroline and her late husband, Avner, co-founded Avner’s Fund in recognition that there was no Australian foundation dedicated exclusively to pancreatic cancer. With the help of friends and supporters, Avner’s Fund became a reality with a simple aim, to raise funds for research so that there could be hope for future patients and has invested $7m in pancreatic cancer research grants, clinical trials and other research projects in its first 10 years. Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation was incorporated in July 2010 and changed its name to Pankind in 2020. Caroline has been the driving force behind the establishment of the Research Grants program, Scientific Advisory Panel and community walks. She was the first full-time employee of the Foundation, and now plays an important role as Founding Ambassador.
Ian & Judi Mundell
Rural ambassadors
In May 2019, Queenslander, Ian Mundell was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had a 6-hour Whipple surgery to remove part of the pancreas, followed by chemotherapy, and considered himself fortunate to have been detected early. During Ian’s pancreatic cancer journey he, along with his wife, Judi Goor-Mundell, identified a clear need for greater awareness of the disease and better access to high-quality care in rural areas. Ian and Judi worked tirelessly at events and trade shows in Northern Queensland to provide information about pancreatic cancer.
Sadly Ian passed away in 2023 however, Judi continues the important work they started together; advocating for progress, helping others affected by the disease, and increasing awareness.