“It’s heartwarming to hear about the recipients of the Professor Geoffrey Driscoll Scholarship and how dedicated and diligent they are in their studies to improve outcomes for their patients. It’s no small feat to work full-time and then go home to study at night – I’m in awe of their achievements. I’m so proud, as Geoffrey would be, to know he’s helping make a real difference in strengthening Australia’s cancer care workforce. I’m so grateful for Arrow’s role in making sure his legacy continues to bring care & hope to those on their own difficult journey.”  – Mrs Jan Driscoll

A Legacy of Gratitude and Purpose 

Following the loss of her beloved husband, Professor Geoffrey Driscoll OAM, to acute myeloid leukaemia in October 2016, Mrs Jan Driscoll chose to honour his legacy in a way that reflects the compassion and care that surrounded him during his final months. Professor Driscoll, a renowned IVF specialist and respected member of the medical community, underwent extensive treatment – including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant – and in that time, both he and his family were deeply moved by the skill and dedication of the nursing staff who supported them. 

Determined to give back and strengthen the workforce that had given her family so much, Jan established the Professor Geoffrey Driscoll Nursing Scholarship in Geoff’s memory. 

Investing in the Future of Cancer Care 

Mrs Driscoll’s support has expanded access to specialised education for cancer nurses across Australia. Each year, her contribution enables six nurses to undertake postgraduate study in cancer nursing through the Professor Geoffrey Driscoll Nursing Scholarship and supports one nurse to pursue professional development opportunities at a conference via the Driscoll Travel Award.

Together, these contributions help build capacity in a critically important area of healthcare. Scholarship recipients study key modules such as: 

• Principles of Cancer Care 

• Foundations of Haematology Nursing 

• Cellular Therapies 

• Therapeutic Apheresis Nursing 

These areas of study are essential in strengthening Australia’s cancer care workforce – equipping nurses with the knowledge and skills to provide expert, compassionate care for patients facing complex treatment journeys. 

Mrs Driscoll’s gift is focused, deeply meaningful, and grounded in lived experience. It is already making a measurable impact by empowering nurses to grow into leadership roles in haematology and oncology – and improving outcomes for the patients they serve. 

Impact Highlights: Training Tomorrow’s Leaders in Oncology Nursing 

Since its inception in 2021, the Professor Geoffrey Driscoll Nursing Scholarship has: 

• Supported 30+ nurses through post graduate nursing qualifications

• Enabled these nurses to work more confidently in haematology and oncology wards across Australia 

• Helped ensure better care outcomes for patients undergoing complex treatments like chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, and apheresis 

And the ripple effects are only just beginning. As scholarship recipients move into more senior clinical roles, their expertise influences not only patients but entire teams. 

A Lasting Tribute  

Mrs Driscoll’s involvement is more than financial – it’s personal, ongoing, and deeply valued by the Arrow community. 

Jan’s support for the next generation of cancer nurses ensures Professor Driscoll’s legacy lives on – not just in name, but in every patient who receives compassionate, expert care from a nurse empowered by education. 

We are profoundly grateful to Mrs Driscoll for her generosity, vision, and unwavering belief in the power of nursing to change lives. Her gift is creating a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come –   in hospital wards, in communities, and in the lives of patients and families across Australia. 

Mrs Driscoll’s gift demonstrates what’s possible when personal legacy meets purpose-driven philanthropy. This is the power of giving. Your impact could be just as powerful. 

Join us in transforming care, one nurse at a time. 

If you’re interested in exploring how a major gift could support a scholarship or research project at Arrow, we’d love to hear from you.

Please contact Bree at bsutherland@arrow.org.au for a confidential conversation.