In March 2025, long-standing caravan and camping industry leader Dave McIvor received life-changing news.

A respected park operator and a familiar face across the sector, Dave had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the toughest cancers. It is currently the third biggest cause of cancer death in Australia, claiming 78 lives every week. Sadly, survival rates remain among the lowest of any major cancer.

For many people, the disease is discovered too late, when treatment options are limited.

But Dave’s story is different.

Dave was diagnosed early, almost by chance. He had visited his doctor for an unrelated issue when further investigations revealed pancreatic cancer.

Early diagnosis gave Dave an opportunity that many people don’t receive. In mid-2025 he underwent a Whipple procedure, followed by multiple rounds of chemotherapy. The treatment was gruelling but it worked.

Today, Dave is in remission. In a disease where around 80 per cent of people do not survive beyond the first year, Dave knows how fortunate he has been.

He also knows why. Early detection made the difference.

Research shows that when pancreatic cancer is detected early, long-term survival can be up to 14 times higher than when it is diagnosed after the disease has spread.

That insight has become Dave’s mission.

Following his diagnosis, Dave approached Pankind – Pancreatic Cancer Australia with a clear goal. He wanted Australia’s caravan and camping industry to help change the story of pancreatic cancer.