Who We Are
Meet the people behind TLR's life-saving work
At The TLR Foundation, we’re here to give hope to people being treated for blood cancers and disorders. We recruit young and diverse stem cell donors, raise awareness about the urgent need for more people to join the stem cell donor registry, and fund scholarships for specialist cancer nurses.
What started as one man’s promise has grown into a passionate community creating real change, one donor, one nurse, one life at a time.
All For Trace
Trace Richey was diagnosed with MDS (myelodysplasia), a serious blood disease that affects the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells. He faced his diagnosis with courage, humour, and incredible strength.
Like many people being treated for blood cancer, Trace needed a stem cell transplant. The first matching donor decided not to proceed. A second donor was eventually found, but the match wasn’t what the medical team had hoped for. Surrounded by love, including his sister Brenda, his best friend since the age of four, John, and his partner Neil, Trace took his final breath.
Trace’s story is a powerful reminder of how urgent it is to grow the stem cell donor registry, especially by encouraging more young and diverse people to join.
Trace’s experience inspired Neil and a close group of friends to take action. What began as a grassroots fundraising effort called All for Trace quickly grew. Through head shaves, a charity skydive, and City2Surf runs, they raised $300,000 in under two years to fund the Trace Richey Patient Room at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
That achievement highlighted the importance of specialist cancer nursing care. It led to the creation of the TLR Foundation’s nursing scholarship program, which funds nurses to complete a Master of Cancer and Haematology Nursing in partnership with the University of Sydney.
Today, TLR honours Trace’s legacy by recruiting new stem cell donors, supporting cancer nurses, and giving hope to people being treated for blood cancers and serious blood disorders.
Meet Our People
Neil Pennock, Co-Founder and Chair
After losing his partner Trace following a stem cell transplant, Neil co founded The TLR Foundation to honour his legacy and help ensure more people get the care and support they need. Neil works in financial program management and leads TLR’s stem cell donor recruitment efforts and nursing scholarship programs, driven by a strong belief in community, education, and showing up when it matters most.
Kathryn Viegas, Co-Founder and Vice Chair
Kathryn brings a blend of compassion, legal expertise, and lived experience to the Foundation. A long time friend of Trace, she co founded TLR to turn grief into action. As an immigration lawyer and the owner of Nomos Legal, TLR’s corporate sponsor, Kathryn’s deeply committed to equity and inclusion. Those values guide her work and shape how she supports TLR’s mission.
Gloria Vincent, Director
Gloria brings more than 16 years’ experience supporting people undergoing stem cell transplants and treatment for blood cancer through her previous work with The Arrow Foundation. Her work’s focused on helping patients and families navigate complex care with clarity and care. As Communications Manager, she helps shape how TLR shares its work and ensures our story’s told clearly and thoughtfully, supporting the Foundation’s long term impact.
Louise Sheehy, Director
Louise is a Clinical Education Specialist at the University of Sydney’s Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, with a strong focus on nursing excellence and cancer care education. Her expertise helps ensure TLR’s nursing scholarships genuinely support the next generation of cancer and haematology nursing specialists. Louise also supports TLR’s work raising awareness of stem cell donation within the university community.
Dr Sam Milliken, Patron
Dr Sam Milliken is a highly respected haematologist and a pioneer in the treatment of blood cancers and stem cell transplantation in Australia. He cared for Trace during his treatment and transplant and has been closely connected to TLR since its earliest days. Sam’s clinical insight and long standing commitment to patient care help guide the Foundation’s work and strengthen its focus on improving outcomes for people being treated for blood cancers.
Stan Tartakovski, LGBTQ+ Ambassador
Stan’s a long standing volunteer with TLR and proudly serves as our LGBTQ+ Ambassador. He plays an important role in supporting the Foundation by helping reach new audiences, strengthen community connections, and ensure our message around stem cell donation is inclusive, visible, and welcoming. Through his advocacy and community engagement, Stan supports TLR’s goal of growing a more diverse stem cell donor registry across Australia.
Professor Kate White, Ambassador
Professor Kate White is a leading voice in cancer nursing and Professor of Cancer Nursing at the University of Sydney. She’s a strong advocate for patient centred care and supports TLR’s work to grow the next generation of cancer and haematology nurses. Kate has also supported stem cell donor recruitment initiatives within the university and hospital setting. Her guidance helps ensure TLR’s nursing scholarships remain grounded in practice and continue to make a meaningful impact for nurses and the patients they care for.
Annabel Horne, Ambassador
Annabel Horne is the Nurse Manager for the Cancer Stream at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre and was Trace’s transplant coordinator, a role she carried out with care, professionalism, and compassion. She’s a respected nursing leader and a strong advocate for patients and for empowering nurses to deliver the highest standard of care. Since TLR began, Annabel’s taken part in every City2Surf in support of our mission. Her commitment to patients, nursing, and the Foundation continues to make a meaningful impact.
TLR Foundation Values
Be Generous
With your time, energy, knowledge, kindness and ideas.
Think Big
We’re here to change lives and make the world a better place.
Work Smart
Keep learning, collaborating and supporting each other.
Get Stuff Done
Team up, knuckle down and make good things happen.
Have Fun Doing It
Make the most of every moment together.
Help Us Make a Difference
We’ve only come this far because of the support of our community. We’re proud of what’s been achieved and deeply grateful to everyone who’s helped along the way.
With continued support, we know we can do more to recruit stem cell donors, support cancer nurses, and give hope to people being treated for blood cancers. If our mission resonates with you, we’d love you to be part of it.