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 Breast cancer is a global issue. Each year around one million, two hundred thousand women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer. For many women and their families this is a challenging and difficult time and it has been consumers, the women themselves, who have highlighted the necessity of appropriate supportive care following a diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer.
The Reach to Recovery International movement has, through peer support and advocacy, played a unique and important role; a role which acknowledges and celebrates the power of shared personal experience.
The theme of the conference is 'One Journey Many People' so come and join us here in Brisbane, Australia to share experiences, to learn from each other, to strengthen our networks and importantly, to enjoy ourselves in the process.
I do look forward to welcoming you to Brisbane in May 2009.
Professor Jeff Dunn
Chief Executive Officer
The Cancer Council Queensland
It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), to invite you to the 15th UICC Reach to Recovery International Breast Cancer Support Conference in Brisbane, Australia, 13-15 May 2009.
Thanks to the engagement of Reach to Recovery volunteers, breast cancer survivors, advocates, family members, health professionals and those who care for and support breast cancer patients from all corners of the world, we can make more of a difference together than each on our own. We look forward to learning from each other, hearing about new developments, and discussing effective models for peer support and advocacy.
A diagnosis of breast cancer can bring with it confusion, fear, isolation and even hopelessness. Breast cancer threatens and changes our lives in ways we cannot imagine. But it is important to know that the journey is not a lonely one. There are caring and dedicated people who will walk with us every step of the way.
Under the theme 'One Journey, Many People', this unique international conference will provide opportunities to exchange experiences from around the world, sharing different perspectives from the Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
We express our appreciation to the host organisation, The Cancer Council Queensland, for their commitment to making this an outstanding conference not to be missed.
Join us in making this conference a great experience and an important event.
Ms Isabel Mortara
Executive Director
International Union Against Cancer (UICC)
The next Reach to Recovery International Conference planned for May 2009 in Brisbane promises to be both an informative and fun-filled few days.
Topics dealing with all aspects of the Reach to Recovery programme are being planned. There will be something to interest every Reach to Recovery volunteer.
These conferences enable us to keep in touch with each other. We are now a truly global organisation, and the sharing of ideas and challenges that may face us can only enrich the work we do.
May I encourage all of you to make every effort to travel to Brisbane to share this experience and to enjoy the renowned Australian hospitality.
See you there!
Ann Steyn
President
Reach to Recovery International
Many of us have experienced a similar journey in breast cancer and yet we have so many stories of adventure, challanges, laughter and tears to share with one another and with others. The 15th UICC Reach to Recovery International Breast Cancer Support Conference, organized by The Cancer Council Queensland is all about this journey of breast cancer experienced by many of us all over the world.
The conference content will enable us to explore and share our respective coping strategies, showcase achievements, acquire knowledge on scientific evidence, thus enabling an improved quality of life for women with breast cancer.
The theme "One Journey Many People - Reach Down Under 2009" is enticing enough for us to travel to Brisbane to share our unique experiences and to learn from each other and from internationally renowned experts.
The conference is being organized for the benefit of breast cancer survivors, family members, volunteers, healthcare professionals, academicians, social workers and interested individuals.
I urge you to start planning not only to attend this conference but also to use Australia as your destination for sightseeing and fun activities in May 2009.
Ranjit Kaur
Immediate Past President
Reach to Recovery International
http://www.reachtorecovery2009.org/
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