Edward “Ted” Best

Edward ‘Ted’ Best (14th January 1944 – 30th October 2023) lost his 18 year battle to Neuroendocrine Cancer on the 30th October 2023.

Ted was an active member of the Hobart Neuroendocrine Cancer Support Group as well as regularly attending the Melbourne Support Group where he enjoyed sharing his journey with fellow “Unicorns”. It was always a focus of Ted’s to create greater awareness of this cancer and to support future research into more effective treatments leading to better patient outcomes as well as a possible future cure.

Neuroendocrine cancers are a complex group of tumours that develop predominantly in the digestive or respiratory tracts, but can occur in other areas of the body. These tumours arise from neuroendocrine cells. The main function of neuroendocrine cells in the body is to create, store and secrete a variety of peptides (little proteins) and hormones for normal bodily functions.

There are currently 24,000+ people living with Neuroendocrine cancer in Australia today with approximately 5,400 people diagnosed each year or 1 person every 2 hours.  Unfortunately, due to the lack of awareness of this cancer and its symptoms, it takes on average 5 years for a diagnosis to be made. As a result, 60% of those diagnosed are already stage 4, meaning the cancer has already spread to other areas of the body making treatment or cure far more difficult.

Ted’s youngest son Martin, was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas in 2017 at the young age of 40 and continues to live with effects of this disease today.

It was Ted’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia.