Our Founders
Associate Professor Malcolm Legget, Former Chair & Trustee
Malcolm was a highly regarded cardiologist, an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Chair of the Translational Medicine Trust and a neuroendocrine cancer patient.
When faced with his neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis in 2011, Malcolm could have focused on himself and his own family to make the best life he could for the duration of his cancer. But instead he focused on transforming neuroendocrine cancer (NET) treatment in New Zealand. His experience of the diagnostics and treatment at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne extended his own life and fueled his determination that all New Zealanders with NETs deserved access to state-of-the-art care.
His achievements for our community include spearheading efforts to set up state of the art neuroendocrine cancer diagnostics in Auckland and bringing PRRT treatment to New Zealand. He raised more than $2 million for research and brought leading NET specialist Dr Ben Lawrence home from the USA.
Malcolm cared about people with NETs and generously shared his knowledge. He was a deeply talented man who applied every ounce of those talents to improve NET cancer care for all Kiwi patients. And on top of all this he laughed easily, cared deeply and had a fierce and abiding love for his wife Carrie and their children George, Harry and Emelia. We were heartbroken when Malcolm passed away in November 2024.
Malcolm’s appointment as a Member of the NZ Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year Honours list acknowledged his incredible achievements - appointing him to be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The award is particularly bittersweet as it was signed off by King Charles and the New Zealand Government before Malcolm died. The citation honoured him for his contributions to cardiology and for his work in cancer treatment and research for neuroendocrine cancer. The award points out what all of us in the neuroendocrine NZ community know; that Malcolm did so much for neuroendocrine cancer care in New Zealand. We are deeply saddened that our humble hero is no longer here to celebrate this recognition.
Make a donation to honour Malcolm's work here.
Siobhan Conroy, Former CEO & Trustee
Siobhan was 25 years old when she was diagnosed with a hereditary cancer syndrome called M.E.N. Type 1. This inherited neuroendocrine cancer claimed the life of her beloved father when she was just three years old. Affecting eight members of her extended family, Siobhan became an early advocate early to better understand this complex disease afflicting generations of her family.
When facing her first big surgery, she was frustrated by the lack of support to provide information about neuroendocrine cancers and the lack of connection with other neuroendocrine cancer patients to share experiences.
In 2012 Siobhan founded Unicorn Foundation New Zealand (now Neuroendocrine Cancer NZ) to support and help patients and families affected by Neuroendocrine Cancers. She grew the charity from the ground up, to focus first on fundraising for state-of-the art diagnostic scans (Gatate PET-CT) to be set up in New Zealand. She also tirelessly lobbied Government to establish Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) so all New Zealanders would have access to this life-extending treatment. She also introduced the support nurse programme that continues to this day. Siobhan has always been a cheerleader for neuroendocrine cancer research projects and continues to be involved in supporting research to this day.
Throughout all these experiences, Siobhan has gained a unique perspective on life. She understands the value of education about health issues, the importance of timely treatment and support and the need for all New Zealanders to have good support and someone in their corner during the tough times.
Chris Holmes, Former Trustee
Chris was born and raised in Pukekohe with 5 brothers and sisters, before settling in Wellington with his adored wife Kirsty and their three sons. His love of sports and trail running saw him often in the hills around Wellington and further afield. Chris was extremely competitive and well respected in his community of friends, work colleagues and clients (many of whom became friends).
In 2011, Chris was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer, which was treated with radiation therapy and a liver resection before undergoing PRRT treatment at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.
Realising the need for better treatment access for NZ neuroendocrine cancer patients, Chris became a board member of Neuroendocrine Cancer NZ (then known as Unicorn Foundation NZ). His experiences as a patient, his love for people and a passionate desire to make things better for other made Chris a fierce advocate for neuroendocrine cancer.
Despite his cancer Chris proudly completed the Tarawera 50km Ultra marathon and he always focused on family and friends, building life-long relationships and ‘living life’. We were devastated when Chris passed away on 14 August 2021.