Karen van Gorp is a health consumer advocate and Senior Adviser, Policy and Advocacy, whose work is grounded in lived experience of stage IV melanoma and a commitment to embedding lived experience voices in research, policy and health system design. Since her diagnosis in 2013, Karen has combined treatment and survivorship experience with leadership in cancer advocacy, peer support and health literacy. She is Deputy Chair of Melanoma Patients Australia, Co Chair for the MPA CAG and serves on the executives of Cancer Voices SA and Cancer Voices Australia, contributing to initiatives including the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, the Australian Cancer Plan, consumer engagement in Health Technology Assessment, the SA Comprehensive Cancer Network Advisory Board and development of the SA Cancer Plan. Karen contributes to research programs as an Associate Investigator. Recognised for bridging patients, clinicians, researchers and policymakers, Karen champions practical partnerships that improve access, strengthen equity and ensure consumers help shape priorities from research design through to implementation and evaluation.