Kim Downes with Gail O’Brien (left) and Belinda (right) from Chris O’Brian Lifehouse
This month we were honoured to participate in the Teal Ribbon Parliamentary Breakfast hosted by our friends at Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA). It was a pity that it had to be moved to an online event, but in this Covid world we’ve all learned how to be flexible. The event was emotionally moving as one woman shared her personal ovarian cancer journey… which isn’t over yet. She’s strong, courageous, and moved our Prime Minister to tears. AGCF will work with OCA to ensure women are receiving the patient support they need while we focus on raising funds for vital life-saving research. You can read more about this event from our Deputy Chair, Leonie Young.
Thanks to philanthropists Paul and Angela Wheelton, in March we were also able to distribute 50 copies of Because She Can – a book written by Marina Brbot – to Gynaecological Cancer Treatment Centres around Australia. The stories found in the pages of Because She Can will evoke emotions along with motivation for all those who read it, proving the point that there truly is nothing that you cannot do or achieve if you are passionate enough and you believe it is for the good of humankind. Because She Can will inspire you and turn uncertainty into courage. We know that women receiving treatment for gynae cancer will read this book and have HOPE. We are incredibly honoured to be able to deliver it to them in their time of need.
Lastly, September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month. Sounds far away… but it will be here before you know it. As I meet and talk with other CEOs from gynae cancer organisations, it is apparent how Covid has affected screening and detection of gynae cancers – and how some of the cancers are now seeing greater cases because of our changing lifestyle. The answer… more research so that we continue to better understand and detect these cancers early.
We are working behind the scenes to get women talking about the 8 gynaecological cancers and to understand the symptoms as best as they can, as well as raise important funds to conquer these cancers. In the next few months, I will be able to share with you some exciting partnerships we are forming. Stay tuned!
Kimberly Downes
CEO