I am a photographer living in Westchester county, NY. I have been shooting commercial advertising for the past 20 years. I recently received a small business grant from British Airways. I won 10 business class flights to any 4 destinations that BA flies. It was a contest based on a series of essays that I wrote explaining how face to face travel could change my business and help it take a more photo journalistic path. My essays talked about the fact that I am a 3 year survivor of ovarian and endometrial cancers, and that since I have been sick, I have been looking for an opportunity to travel around the world documenting photographically how women with cancer are intrinsically connected. I would like to show how our struggles, hopes, joys, and concerns have no borders. That we share a common bond, regardless of where we live around the globe. This blog is hopefully going to document this journey over the next year.

http://www.carolyntaylorphotography.com/blog/

http://doingthecan-can.blogspot.com

Send us your stories and we will post it here.

To kick it off:

Scanxiety= Anxiety before a scan
Chemochef= Nurses mixing chemo

Topics covered were:
How to build relationships
What is cancer
Discussions and different treatment modalities
Cancer staging
Special investigations for cancer patients
Communication
The patient active model of care

A Special word of thanks to Discovery for sponsorship of the travelling cost of the trainer. Without this sponsorship the training would not have been possible.
The oncology ward nursing manger, sister Bernice Lass and all her support of her clinical and management team at the Donald Gordon Oncology Centre is much appreciated.

We look forward to the full utilisation of this group of new Cancer Buddies in future and would like to thank them all for their
contribution.

Linda Greeff
Director PLWC

A big thank you to Dr Adam Nosworthy for his support and contribution to the project.

GVI is hosting a Southern Suburbs Survivors’ Day this year. (There will be a separate event in the Northern Suburbs at the end of August- date to follow shortly).  We’d really like to see you there but because our space is limited, you have to reserve and collect a ticket before the event itself.

GVI is hosting Survivors’ Day events throughout the country this year.   We’d really like to see you there but because our space is limited, you have to reserve and collect a ticket before the event itself.

Cape Town Northern Suburbs:

Event dates elsewhere:

Unit: Border Oncology Unit
Date: 14 August 2010
Venue: Hudson Park High School, Centenary Hall
Tel no: 043 722 1222
Contact Person: Reception

Unit: Langenhoven Drive Oncology Centre
Date: 21 August 2010
Venue: ETC Conference Centre
Tel no: 041 363 0581
Contact Person: Reception

Unit: Nelspruit Oncology Unit
Date: 28 August 2010
Venue: Nou’s Toeka Kaapsche Hoop Road
Tel no: 013 759 0800
Contact Person: Eldorette Grobler

Unit: Outeniqua Oncology Unit
Date: 21 August 2010
Venue: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Saasveld Hall
Tel no: 044 884 0705
Contact Person: Ruan van Aswegen

Unit: Panorama Oncology Centre
Date: 21 August 2010
Venue: Durbanville Voorbereidingsskool
Tel no: 021 930 4245
Contact Person: Charmaine de Wet

Unit: Southern Suburbs Oncology Centre
Date: 31 July 2010
Venue: Western Province Cricket Club
Tel no: 086 199 9914
Contact Person: Samantha Peacock

Join us on 10th July at our Cancer Support Group at 18 Eton Road, Parktown.  Our speaker will be TK Mofokeng who is the resident Donald Gordon Medical Centre’s physiotherapist and he will be talking about the importance of exercise for cancer patients.  He will also be giving exercises to help you during cancer treatment and beyond.
We meet at 9h00 for coffee and start at 9h30.  Afterwards there will be time to share your stories and chat with other members.
We look forward to seeing you. Remember, there is no charge.

Contact Chris Olivier
Cell: 083 640 4949
cansurvive@icon.co.za

Linda Greeff, co-founder and Director of People Living With Cancer and an expert in dealing with people undergoing cancer treatment, will be in Johannesburg on 17 and 18 July 2010 presenting their introductory ‘buddy’ training course at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
Hosted by Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC) and People Living With Cancer, Johannesburg, the goal of the course is to train a group of volunteers to be involved with PLWC in Johannesburg in preparation of being able to visit newly-diagnosed cancer patients, helping and supporting them through their cancer. Hospital oncology visitors are also catered for.

Linda comments: “the intention is to educate interested parties about the disease and provide them with greater self-awareness and the required communication skills needed in preparation for visiting patients.Volunteers learn how to become tools to sup- port those going through a crisis.  While it not essential that a volunteer has a similar diagnosis to the patient, if they are either a cancer sufferer, survivor or caregiver this does help. It is important also for volunteers to know very clearly the guidelines around the do’s and don’ts of a ‘buddy’ visit”.

The first day of the seminar discusses cancer and the different types of scans and their uses. It covers the emotional aspects, relationship building and need recognition, as well as hospital etiquette. It also addresses when to involve Hospice.

Day two surrounds basic communication skills, positive language and non-verbal communication, listening, empathy and observation around a ‘patient active’ approach.

Other speakers include Bev du Toit and Bernice Lass (an oncology unit manager), with guest speakers from Hospice and an interventional radiologist from the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC).

The course is free. See newsletter here:  2010 June Newsletter .   More information can be obtained from Chris Olivier on 083 640 4949 or email cansurvive@icon.co.za.