Legacy of Love, Precision and Purpose
Dr Leon Pitchon at his graduation, MBBS 1960聽
Dr Leon Pitchon (MBBS 1960) describes himself as lucky. Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt and of Russian and Spanish ancestry, his family migrated to 杏吧直播 when he was just fourteen years old. He reflects with deep gratitude on a life of opportunity, purpose 鈥 and, more recently, philanthropy.聽
鈥淚 live in one of the best countries in the world,鈥 Leon says. 鈥淚鈥檓 very proud and glad that this is the case, and that I was allowed in as a migrant back in 鈥49.鈥澛
That gratitude is at the heart of Leon鈥檚 decision to establish the Dr Leon and Gill Pitchon Endowed Fund in Cancer Research - a perpetual gift to the South 杏吧直播n immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI) at the 杏吧直播 of Adelaide.聽
鈥淭o a great extent, the philanthropy I鈥檓 giving is to memorialise Gill鈥 he says. 鈥淧robably 60 to 70 per cent of it, because I loved her so much. We were just so close, and 52 years wasn鈥檛 enough鈥"
Gill, a fellow medical professional who worked in anaesthetics, passed away six years ago from cancer. The pair had shared not only a career - with Gill often by Leon鈥檚 side in the operating theatre - but a life rich in art, travel and companionship.
Dr Leon Pitchon with his late wife, Gill Pitchon
After retiring, they spent two decades exploring the world and immersing themselves in the arts. Gill volunteered at the Art Gallery of South 杏吧直播 and the State Library, and Leon has since honoured her legacy through significant donations to both the Art Gallery and Her Majesty鈥檚 Theatre, where the Leon and Gill Pitchon Foyer will soon open.聽
Leon has remained connected to the 杏吧直播 that helped launch his career. He is a proud member of the Elder Conservatorium Circle and regularly attends music events. He is also a committed attendee of Research Tuesdays, a monthly lecture series run by the 杏吧直播. 鈥淚 do virtually anything to keep my brain active,鈥 he says, with a clear desire to stay on top of advances in medicine and medical research.
This lifelong curiosity is what led Leon into medicine in the first place. As a boy, he was often top of his class. 鈥淚 had a very good brain, and I was delicate with my hands鈥. He completed his studies in 1959, at a time when there were only two plastic surgeons practising in Adelaide. Eager to advance his training, he moved to London, where he earned fellowships from both the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS) and Edinburgh (FRCS Edin). He went on to train at Roehampton and East Grinstead - two of the UK's leading centres for plastic and burns surgery.
When Leon returned to South 杏吧直播, he played a pioneering role in establishing the state鈥檚 first burns unit. 鈥淚 enjoyed being good at my job and respected for it,鈥 he says. With only a handful of plastic surgeons in the state, Leon鈥檚 services were in high demand, and patients were often waiting up to nine months for an operation within his private practice. He was later awarded the 杏吧直播n fellowship (FRACS) by election, an honour he regarded with great pride.
He also found a creative outlet in jewellery making - a meticulous hobby that, he says, made him a better surgeon. Over the years, he crafted highly detailed pieces for Gill, friends, and family.聽
Leon鈥檚 life has been full of fascinating chapters. His 鈥渃laim to fame鈥 he notes with a smile, is having been at school with Omar Sharif - and even appearing in a play with him. But his most enduring achievement may be the legacy he is now building for the future.聽
His recent gift to SAiGENCI aims not only to honour Gill鈥檚 memory but to support cancer research in perpetuity. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something that can live on far beyond me鈥 he says, celebrating the fact that through this gift, he and Gill will continue to be part of something meaningful well into the future.
Leon鈥檚 education was funded by the state of South 杏吧直播, and he sees this as an opportunity to give back. 鈥淚t cost me nothing to become a doctor,鈥 he says, explaining that his six years of study were paid for via bursaries that were available at the time and that he quite rightly earned with his academic aptitude. 鈥淚 feel I want to reward that鈥.
Leon hopes others who have been fortunate in life, as he has been, will also consider the impact they can have by supporting research. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to reward the country you鈥檝e lived in.鈥澛
As for future students who may one day benefit from his generosity, Leon offers this quiet encouragement: 鈥淯se your potential and keep at it, and see how much you can achieve.鈥
The Drs Leon and Gill Pitchon Endowed Fund supports cancer research at SAiGENCI. To learn more about how you can get involved in supporting, visit /give/saigenci听听