A BRAIN cancer researcher and a doctor helping the homeless have been nominated for the 2018 Western Australia Awards.
Nick Gottardo, a paediatric oncologist and researcher at Princess Margaret Hospital and the Telethon Kids Institute, is a nominee for the WA Australian of the Year.
The specialist is driven by a belief that it’s unacceptable for children to die of brain cancer, and he’s often referred to as ‘Saint Nick’ by parents on the ward.
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READ NOWHis research team made a breakthrough this year in treating medulloblastoma, screening almost 3200 drugs to find one capable of destroying the cancer.
“I feel very humbled to be nominated for this award, particularly as I was nominated by a group of parents and grandparents of children who’ve had cancer,” Dr Gottardo said.
Andrew Davies, based in West Leederville, has been nominated for the Australia’s Local Hero award.
The doctor launched Homeless Healthcare in 2008, providing health services to homeless and marginalised people in Perth.
His team of 20 provide 14,000 consultations each year at drop-in centres across the city.
The WA Award winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 22, at Government House.
Recipients will join state and territory winners from across Australia for the national awards, held in Canberra on January 25.
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