After Kiley was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, doctors told her she might have only months to live. At 18, she wrote a will, chose a casket, and began living scan to scan. But, over the next five years, she kept on living, defying expectations. Her scans stayed stable. Why? How? After a recent MRI, her husband @ColeLemasters used ChatGPT to help make sense of the dense language in her radiology report. That conversation led him back to Kiley’s original biopsy records, where ChatGPT helped surface a crucial detail: an IDH1 mutation. In partnership with her neuro-oncologist, he then confirmed what that meant. Under updated medical standards, Kiley’s tumor was not glioblastoma, but an IDH-mutant astrocytoma: still serious, but with a very different prognosis. Instead of bracing for the worst, Kiley and her doctors began focusing her treatment plan on long-term care. Now, after years of uncertainty, she and Cole are planning for a future.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Wizard Jason Collins following his battle with glioblastoma, and are sending our condolences to his family & loved ones.

Doctors at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center (which I had the pleasure of touring in June while I was in Israel) treated a 77-year-old patient with recurrent glioblastoma using Alpha DaRT, an experimental Israeli-developed treatment. Using millimeter-precise navigation, surgeons inserted tiny radioactive sources directly into the brain tumor—instead of delivering radiation from outside the brain. The sources release powerful alpha particles over a very short distance, targeting cancer cells while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding healthy brain tissue. The treatment had previously been performed on glioblastoma patients in the United States, but this was the first time it was used for the disease anywhere outside the U.S. The Israeli team also achieved a world first, using two separate implantation paths simultaneously to better target the patient’s large tumor. The treatment remains experimental, but researchers hope it could provide a new option against one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat brain cancers.

With the passing of Richard Scolyer, we have lost one of our brightest lights and one of our biggest hearts. As the joint 2024 Australian of the Year, Professor Scolyer took his place in the national spotlight with determination and purpose as he very publicly dealt with his glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Every day, this remarkable man – the cancer specialist who became his own subject – took us into his confidence, and he lifted us all in the process. Richard’s journey was difficult and confronting. “My uncertain path”, as he termed it with characteristic understatement. Yet it was one he travelled with courage, determination, and a grace that never ceased to be remarkable. The way he shared it with us was an act of profound generosity. He showed us what it means to hope, and to keep searching for solutions. He showed us how to stand firm against fear and stay true to yourself. Now Richard’s journey is done, yet his legacy will always be with us. The recently established Richard Scolyer Chair at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse proudly bears his name. And one day when a cure is found, Richard’s name will be spoken. The hearts of all Australians go out to his wife, Dr Katie Nicholl, and their children, Emily, Matthew and Lucy. And may Richard Scolyer rest in peace.