Author: Pamela Bousejean
Well I received good news a little while ago that the abstract I submitted to present at the 2015 Survivorship Conference in Adelaide was accepted! I attended the conference last week and it was a great experience. I was accepted for a poster presentation which described the work of Ur the Cure and I had some brochures made up to hand out to people (see the Facebook page for photos of the poster and of the beautiful city of Adelaide)! I had the opportunity to meet and network with lots of wonderful people and it has now opened some pathways to partner and work with some other organisations to help spread the message (I will keep you updated about the types of work that will emerge as it's all only just happened)! I did sneak out for a bit to have a quick wander around the city too and of course stock up on some Haigh's chocolates!
I received lots of good advice and tips on how to approach taking Ur the Cure to that next level to grow into something more. It was inspiring to be in a room with so many passionate people who are all working together to do good in the field of cancer survivorship - basically the medical world are recognising cancer survivorship as another stage of the cancer path to provide better supportive services and rehabilitation for those who complete cancer treatment, much like how it's already done with many other chronic diseases. If you're interested you can read the conference charter to see what it's all about.
And a really massive thank you to Barwon Health and BSWRICS for giving me the opportunity to attend the conference, in particular 2 very inspiring ladies, Kate and Donna from the cancer survivorship program. I was a participant of the program and I believe it gave me the empowerment to do the work that I'm doing now. Kate and Donna have always been very supportive of Ur the Cure and I was lucky enough to come along with them to the conference and watch them present on their great work.
Now I'm off to get my head down, do some more ground work and process all the information and ideas that have flowed on from the conference (whilst eating the chocolates I bought)! I feel like the doors keep opening for Ur the Cure and that I really am in the right place to get things really happening!