BISHOP, Alan David

Alan became the face and spirit of the GI CANCER Institute.  An invaluable volunteer since 2005 Alan contributed in so many ways; he was on the organisation’s Board of Directors, the Acting Chairman throughout 2009, a founding board member of the GI CANCER Institute New Zealand, as well as a member of several committees—Finance, Corporate Governance, Scientific Advisory, Public Affairs and Consumer Advisory Panel.  

Alan shared his experience as both a cancer patient and community leader to support and increase public awareness for the AGITG’s work into finding better treatments for Gastro Intestinal cancers. He was instrumental in the formation of the organisation’s marketing program, and broadened the organisation beyond the clinical arena to reach out to the public through his ideas, networking and commitment to communicating the value of clinical trials.

Alan had a unique way of being able to reach out to people, put them at ease with his quick wit and gentlemanly charm. He had a rare ability to identify the crux of any issue before most were able to catch up, and then empower those working with him to resolve the problem.

Alan and Christine established the “Alan Bishop Fund for GIST Research” to commemorate Alan’s legacy and to speed up the progress in GIST Cancer research.