WHO adviser Professor Mary-Louise McLaws begins treatment for brain tumour

Professor Mary-Louise McLaws has announced her treatment is underway after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last month.

One of the Australia’s most prominent voices throughout the Covid pandemic has announced the treatment of her recently diagnosed brain tumour has begun.

Professor of epidemiology Mary-Louise McLaws has held a crucial role as a World Health Organisation advisor as Australia fought its way through the global outbreak.

She has been a regular feature on national broadcast programs and online news sites, and provided important and timely public information in the uncertain and volatile Covid landscape.

Having been one of the most trusted leading medical voices, the news of her diagnosis came as a huge shock to the nation when she announced it on January 15.

“After a severe headache Thursday, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I will now be on a month’s sick leave from UNSW and WHO,” she said in a tweet.

Mary-Louise McLaws has commenced treatment for her brain tumour. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“Thank you media for helping me spread knowledge. Now it is time with my family. Best wishes to you all.”

Two-and-a-half weeks later, she announced her treatment was underway.

“Thank you lovely people for wishing me well. My treatment is underway. We are fortunate with our fabulous medical, nursing, cleaning & support groups.”

Prof McLaws encouraged those following her journey to support future brain tumour research by donating to Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer.

The charity was established by The Project host Carrie Bickmore in May 2015 in memory of her late husband Greg who passed away five years earlier following a 10-year battle with brain cancer.

Thank you lovely people for wishing me well. My treatment is underway. We are fortunate with our fabulous medical, nursing, cleaning & support groups. If you are able to support future brain tumour research donate, any amount https://t.co/DEVW4vW2zC
Reference say "Hi MaryLouise”

— Mary-Louise McLaws (@MarylouiseMcla1) February 2, 2022

Prof McLaws often took a critical view of the government’s management of the pandemic in Australia and regularly called for tightened restrictions to curb infections.

Most recently, she called for the quick and free distribution of rapid antigen tests and said it was a key reason the government’s outbreak management had “failed”.

Since sharing her upsetting news, hundreds of medical colleagues, journalists and members of the public have wished her a quick recovery and return to work.

Prof McLaws encouraged supporters to donate to Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The Project’s Lisa Wilkinson was among those to pay tribute to Prof McLaws, fighting back tears on the program while delivering an emotional message to the “very dear friend” of the show.

“Mary-Louise, I think it’s fair to say that all of us here at The Project were heartbroken to hear the news. In these troubled times, your calm, considered information and advice has been invaluable to millions of Australians across the country and we want to thank you so much for being so generous with your knowledge, your time and we wish you and your beautiful family all the strength in the world at this difficult time,” Wilkinson told viewers.

“Just make sure you put that wonderful husband of yours, aka the pool boy, to good work.”