Juliet Langridge:   ACT Representative

Juliet is a registered nurse working in the department of Endocrinology at The Canberra Hospital.   Her role, which she has held for 11 years, is to provide dynamic testing, treatments and education for adults with Endocrine disorders.  

She was part of the inaugural meeting for members of the general public to encourage membership and involvement in the APF, and subsequently became the contact person for ACT.

Juliet encourages patients to become members of appropriate support groups. She hopes to build the membership in ACT to then facilitate social support gatherings and educational days.

 

Daniel Blomfield: New South Wales Representative

Daniel was born in Sydney in 1974 and has lived most of his life in Sydney.  He is married to Melanie, and has 2 beautiful girls, Tahlia 2 ½ and Kayla 8 weeks old.

Daniel was diagnosed with Acromegaly in Jan 07 and had surgery in Mar 07 to remove the tumour. Since the surgery Daniel has successfully managed his growth hormone levels by an injection every 2 months. 

Being able to talk to other people that have pituitary problems has helped him and Daniel is eager to ‘give back’ to help others who want to talk to someone who has been through a similar experience.  Daniel was a celebrity in 2007 where his operation was filmed for the RPA show. There is not a lot of awareness of Pituitary Conditions so having his story aired on TV has hopefully helped people to recognise symptoms and seek help. 

 

Sue Kozij:  Queensland Representative

Sue is a Brisbane girl who has been co-ordinator of the Queensland branch since 1998.  In 1996 Sue was successfully treated for a Cushings microadenoma.  She was on hormone replacement for two years post operatively while the residual tissue of her gland recovered, and today her body has completely healed and she no longer is dependent on replacement hormones.

In 1998 Sue picked up a copy of the Pituitary Connection while waiting for an endocrinologist appointment.  She admits she will never forget the excitement that ran through her veins at the prospect of meeting others with pituitary conditions, and raced home to make contact.  After several discussions with Ron Waters and Lloyd Roever she launched the Queensland support group shortly after.

Sue remembers her loneliness during her illness but considers herself to be “one of the lucky ones” and because of this, has a passion to help others who contact the Foundation for support.

 

Loretta Schar: South Australia and NT Representative

Loretta first became involved with the APF as a carer, when her husband was diagnosed with a Prolactinoma after years of misdiagnosis.

Outside the APF, she works full time as a personal secretary in the District Court of South Australia:

Loretta has an adult son and a daughter and is involved with other community organisations, including a public speaking group and her local resident’s association.

She comes from an Italian background and speaks fluent Italian. Her interests include sewing, music, travelling, books, gardening and meditation.

Loretta is very keen to ensure that carers, families and pituitary patients have as much information and support as possible.  Among her personal strategic objectives for the future is a desire for the APF to continue to grow and assist members and become even more encompassing.

 

Melissa Syme: Tasmania Representative

Melissa lives in the north-west of Tasmania. She has recently taken on the role of coordinator in Tasmania and is looking forward to building up the membership and support gatherings of the APF in that state.  She hopes also to increase the profile of the APF amongst medical professionals, the media and general public.

Melissa was diagnosed with a Prolactinoma in 1993, which was surgically removed.  She had follow-up radiation treatment and is on replacement hormone therapy. Her endocrinologist in Melbourne encouraged her to join the APF for information about related services and other's experiences.

 

Kellie Dines: Victoria Representative

Kellie lives just outside of Geelong and is a mum to two young boys.  In 2006 she had her first surgery to remove a non functioning macroadenoma after many years of misdiagnosis prior.  Permanent damage to her pituitary function has compromised her adrenal and thyroid glands which she takes replacement for.  Kellie has since suffered a recurrence of her tumour and had further surgery in June 2009 but has opted not to undergo radiation therapy at this stage.

Kellie plans to utilize her personal experiences in a way that would benefit others and would like to use her “eternal optimist” attitude to assist them along with becoming involved in research and, with persistence, create positive outcomes with regard to the way pituitary (and related) disease is recognised.

 

Emily McKenzie:   Western Australia Representative

Emily lives just outside of sunny Perth.  She has recently taken on the role as WA Co-ordinator and is really looking forward to taking on the challenges that come with the role.

Emily was diagnosed with a Prolactinoma about 2 years ago while living in a regional area.  Like a lot of people she has spoken to, access to information and diagnostic services was not easy and she is very glad to have come across the APF.