After tragically losing her husband to skin cancer, Dr Danielle Camer has channelled her grief into positive work, from writing books to raising thousands of dollars for melanoma research and treatment. Recently, Danielle was named among the finalists in three categories in the prestigious AusMumpreneur Awards, including the People's Choice Award (vote here by August 2).
Thanks to Danielle for taking the time to share her story.
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a leading senior medical writer and creative director in Australian pharmaceutical and healthcare advertising. I am also a multi-award-winning children’s picture book author, which initially began as a side hustle inspired by my daughter, Sophie.
I grew up in Fairy Meadow, graduating from St Mary’s Star of the Sea College in 2005 before embarking on almost a decade of study at UOW. With passions for science and creativity, I completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (with Distinction), Bachelor of Medical Science Hons (Class I) and a PhD in Neuroscience (with Examiners’ commendation for outstanding thesis).
My university education led to previous careers in medical research and university teaching, where I presented at leading national and international conferences, published work in international journals, and received several awards for outstanding teaching and academic performance.
I now use my combined interests of science and creativity by working on medical advertising campaigns which aim to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of people living in Australia. Over the years, I have worked with global pharmaceutical giants including Sanofi, Roche and Pfizer.
Congratulations on being a finalist in the AusMumpreneur Awards. What awards are you in line for?
Thank you! I feel so honoured to be chosen as a finalist in three categories for this year’s AusMumpreneur Awards:
1. Overcoming the Odds Award: Recognising women who have overcome adversity and significant challenges to succeed in business.
2. Author Award: This award recognises authors that have achieved outstanding results in all aspects of authorship.
3. People’s Choice: Making a Difference Award, Health & Wellbeing: Most popular health and wellbeing business or organisation making a difference as determined by people’s choice voting.
What are you most proud of achieving?
I have had an extremely challenging two years after my husband (and high school sweetheart since I was 15), Clint, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive metastatic melanoma. Tragically, he died from the disease on 1 December 2023, aged 37, leaving me as a widow and single parent to Sophie.
Despite my ongoing heartbreak, I have made it my mission to find ways to transform my grief into something positive, live the life that Clint can no longer have to the full, and honour his legacy.
One way I have achieved this is through proactive fundraising for the Melanoma Institute Australia via the Melanoma March and a memorial page in memory of Clint. Since 2023, I have helped raise over $10,000 for the Melanoma Institute Australia as a result of my fundraising efforts and advocacy.
In the 2024 Wollongong Melanoma March, my team (Team Clint) raised the highest amount of money in the region for the event ($3588). I am most proud of this achievement knowing that I am honouring Clint’s legacy as well as making a difference to help fund medical research and save lives from melanoma.
When and why did you first become a mumpreneur?
After going back to work from maternity leave in 2017, I was tired of doing the Wollongong to Sydney CBD commute, where I would leave home at 6am and not return until 7:30/8pm. Clint was doing the daycare drop-offs and pick-ups and I felt I was missing out on precious time with Sophie and forming connections with her daycare educators.
I have a strong network in medical and health advertising, so in 2019, I started my freelance writing business from home. This allowed me to create my own flexible work environment, have complete control over my capacity, and more precious time with my husband and daughter.
What does your work today involve?
Collaborating with advertising agencies, I work with pharmaceutical and healthcare companies on disease awareness and medicine campaigns. Recently, I have been working on product launches for new medicines available soon in Australia. This includes writing educational pieces directed at healthcare professionals and brochures for patients.
It gives me the warm and fuzzies knowing that from the moment a new medicine launches in Australia, it will make a huge impact to so many lives. This is why I do what I do. I love my job.
In my work as an author, I have two publishing contracts for new picture books. My second picture book, Squirrel Takes the Cake will be released on 5 August 2024, followed by a third book in 2025/2026.
Your first picture book, Sophie Won't Sleep, has won multiple awards – how old is the star now and what does it mean to the two of you?
Before Sophie Won’t Sleep became a published book on 1 December 2021, Clint and I would perform the story to Sophie using sloth toys from when she was a toddler. Since this humble beginning, I’m so proud to see it receive 10 prestigious international book awards and feature on a billboard in Times Square, New York City.
This book is even more special to now seven-year-old Sophie as it forever captures the love and bond of our family of three. Clint passed away two years to the day after this book was published.
How can we support you?
I have been selected as a finalist in the ‘People’s Choice: Making a Difference Award – Health & Wellbeing’ category in this year’s AusMumpreneur awards, which is judged by public votes only. As far as I’m aware, I’m the only finalist from the Illawarra, so it would be wonderful for the region to show support by taking a couple of minutes to please vote for me!
How to vote for me:
1. Select ‘Danielle Camer’ from the drop-down menu from ‘6. HEALTH & WELLBEING’
2. Answer 9, 10, and 11
3. Press ‘Done’
Voting closes 2nd August at 6am AEST.
