During Joy’s treatment at the Cyril Gilbert Cancer Centre at Greenslopes Private Hospital (GPH), Blair witnessed the extraordinary compassion of doctors, nurses, and volunteers who cared for them with kindness and dignity.

In gratitude, Blair and his daughter, Joanne, chose to honour Joy’s memory by helping others facing the same journey. Their generosity provided the seed funding for the Cancer Wellness Program, established and funded by GMR, to provide patients and families vital emotional, physical, and social support throughout their treatment at GPH.

Blair’s generosity was inspired by a deep sense of empathy. He had faced cancer himself more than once and lost several family members to the disease.

“You can be healthy one day and not the next,” he said. “I just don’t want others to go through what we did.”
His giving didn’t stop at cancer research. After losing sight in one eye to a rare congenital disease, Blair also supported ophthalmology research, hoping his donations would spare others from the same fate.

He often remarked that what made GMR special was its personal touch. Unlike larger charities, Blair felt truly seen and valued—able to witness firsthand how every dollar made a difference. Visiting the labs and meeting researchers who personally thanked him reinforced his confidence that his support was making a real, and valued, impact.
Blair believed in research that changes lives: research grounded in care, compassion, and community.
“You don’t know what’s around the corner, and you can’t take it with you, he would often say.”

Blair’s commitment to giving back extended beyond financial support; he would wake at 5am and catch two buses to volunteer at GPH. While he never visited Cyril Gilbert Cancer Centre after his wife passed away, he would stand guard at the information desk outside the centre, guiding hospital patients and visitors. Blair volunteered at GPH well into his 90s, until catching the bus became too difficult.

Sadly, Blair passed away in July 2025, with his daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Alan, by his side.
He will be forever remembered for his kindness, generous spirit and deep love for his wife Joy.

Through his generosity and belief in GMR’s mission, Blair has left a legacy that continues to bring comfort, inspire compassion, and drive discovery.

We honour Blair Smith, an extraordinary friend of GMR, whose spirit of giving will continue to bring hope to countless lives.

Pictured: Blair Smith with daughter Joanne

Find out more about the Cancer Wellness Program here:
Cancer Wellness Program – Gallipoli Medical Research