Kevin Martin’s commitment to improve Victorian paediatric cancer services and support children and families impacted by cancer has spanned over a quarter of a century.
Kevin was appointed one of the inaugural directors of the Kids Cancer Foundation, back in 1998. The Kids Cancer Foundation, which then became the Children’s Cancer Centre Foundation, amongst its many achievements funded the refurbishment of the cancer unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital in the early 2000s.
In 2005, Kevin joined the board of KOALA (Kids Oncology and Leukaemia Action) Foundation, which originated from Monash Children’s Hospital and focused on supporting families through the challenging journey of childhood cancer.
As a director of both charities, Kevin played a seminal role in bringing the Children’s Cancer Centre Foundation and KOALA Foundation together, to create what we now know as the Children’s Cancer Foundation. The merger was a milestone event in the Foundation’s history.
Children’s Cancer Foundation Chairman, Jeremy Smith, paid tribute to Kevin Martin.
“The contribution Kevin has made over the past 25 years as a director of the Foundation and its predecessors, Koala Foundation and the Children’s Cancer Centre Foundation, has been invaluable. Among his many achievements, Kevin was instrumental in the merger which brought the Foundation into its current form in 2012. Kevin has been a brilliant finance director and source of wise counsel. I wish Kevin and Barbara well in their future adventures.”
Doug Rathbone, founding Chairman of the Kid’s Cancer Foundation/Children’s Cancer Centre Foundation, remembers Kevin’s significant achievements.
“The Foundation (KCF) was founded with Kevin as a director in 1998, with two pivotal objectives; to raise $22 million for the rebuild of ward 6E and to provide overview governance for the various groups involved in fundraising for childhood cancer. The required $22m was successfully raised with support of Premier Bracks $6m, and Prime Minister Howard $10m (with nudging from Julia Gillard), with the balance coming from Philanthropic sources – a remarkable accomplishment.
I would like to acknowledge Kevin for his dedication, visionary leadership and commitment to making a profound impact in the fight against childhood cancer”.
Mary McGowan OAM, Foundation Director, thanks Kevin.
“I had heard lots about Kevin before first meeting him. After meeting him I understood all that I had heard. He is caring, straightforward with lots of patience and empathy. During the quarter of a centenary that I have worked with Kevin, I found him to be honest, open and trustworthy at all times. He has made a difference to so many families and staff alike, dealing with childhood cancer on a daily basis. From an individual who is not professionally or personally involved in this field, he has made it his business to understand what the needs of all living and dealing with childhood cancer are. Thank you, Kevin, for the difference you have made to the lives of so many.”
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