The Pink & White M&M's are going down a treat and there is still some stocks available. Each of these packs has been especially made for Dragons Abreast and not only do they help with our fundraising but equally importantly it is raising our profile in so many different areas and allowing those newly diagnosed to discover us. The amount of calls to the 1300 number is testament to this.
If you'd like to order some carry boxes please contact us on 1300 889 566 for more details - we'd love to hear from you!
The chocolates really do sell themselves!
Michelle
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
THANK YOU AUSTRALIA
I am deeply honoured and quite stunned to have received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Queens Birthday Honours list. Actually gobsmacked is probably the better word. I also feel rather emotional about it all.
I am currently in Winnipeg – far from Australia and family – as this news has been announced. It is rather surreal actually. I knew it was about to happen as they contacted me just prior but never count your chickens is my motto!! Just didn’t seem possible that such an honour would be bestowed on me.
I have to tell you that I went on the website on Monday to check if it was actually real – and it was! I had no one to tell so I shared with my dear friend Eleanor Nielsen as I saw her as I walked into the room – I was busting to tell someone! Little did I know that she was going to be on the podium next (as she had not been up all week and was not named on the program but she was facilitating a discussion panel!) and lo and behold, she told everyone – so they all stood and clapped – all a bit embarrassing!
I have, in the last day, received an incredible amount of congratulatory emails from so many places – amazing who reads the papersJ. Some of your messages have reduced me to tears – the people who have bothered to write to me, to share their feeling of how they felt on hearing my news – it is truly an amazing feeling that is quite beyond words. I am truly blessed to know so many fantastic people.
I have this afternoon been faced the dilemma of how to acknowledge all this correspondence and what to say to the members of Dragons Abreast Australia and the wider community – what is the protocol with these kinds of things? I don’t know!
Dragons Abreast has always been different and so I decided that the best way to do this was to write this note to everyone and share this incredible time with you in some small way.
This honour is very humbling and I want to use this moment to acknowledge the special angels who are no longer with us, who have shared the dream and the vision, walking closely beside me as we have establishing Dragons Abreast over the last 10 years.
Most importantly I want to acknowledge publicly that none of this would be possible without the fantastic support that I receive from my family. My husband Steve, my daughter Sasha and my son Wayne, whose unwaivering support and love sustain me always.
I do not know who nominated me for this honour or who has been involved in some collusion!! And probably I never will - but thank you all so very much.
With deepest thanks to each of you that have supported me personally and Dragons Abreast Australia on this incredible journey - a journey that has not ended either - not till we have a cure for breast cancer!
Kindest regards
Michelle Hanton
I am currently in Winnipeg – far from Australia and family – as this news has been announced. It is rather surreal actually. I knew it was about to happen as they contacted me just prior but never count your chickens is my motto!! Just didn’t seem possible that such an honour would be bestowed on me.
I have to tell you that I went on the website on Monday to check if it was actually real – and it was! I had no one to tell so I shared with my dear friend Eleanor Nielsen as I saw her as I walked into the room – I was busting to tell someone! Little did I know that she was going to be on the podium next (as she had not been up all week and was not named on the program but she was facilitating a discussion panel!) and lo and behold, she told everyone – so they all stood and clapped – all a bit embarrassing!
I have, in the last day, received an incredible amount of congratulatory emails from so many places – amazing who reads the papersJ. Some of your messages have reduced me to tears – the people who have bothered to write to me, to share their feeling of how they felt on hearing my news – it is truly an amazing feeling that is quite beyond words. I am truly blessed to know so many fantastic people.
I have this afternoon been faced the dilemma of how to acknowledge all this correspondence and what to say to the members of Dragons Abreast Australia and the wider community – what is the protocol with these kinds of things? I don’t know!
Dragons Abreast has always been different and so I decided that the best way to do this was to write this note to everyone and share this incredible time with you in some small way.
This honour is very humbling and I want to use this moment to acknowledge the special angels who are no longer with us, who have shared the dream and the vision, walking closely beside me as we have establishing Dragons Abreast over the last 10 years.
Most importantly I want to acknowledge publicly that none of this would be possible without the fantastic support that I receive from my family. My husband Steve, my daughter Sasha and my son Wayne, whose unwaivering support and love sustain me always.
I do not know who nominated me for this honour or who has been involved in some collusion!! And probably I never will - but thank you all so very much.
With deepest thanks to each of you that have supported me personally and Dragons Abreast Australia on this incredible journey - a journey that has not ended either - not till we have a cure for breast cancer!
Kindest regards
Michelle Hanton
THE END OF THE CONFERENCE
The conference finished yesterday - at the closing we all lit a candle for those women who are NEWLY diagnosed - a woman is diagnosed every 3 minutes!! The candle was to represent a prayer for each of them, that they receive the courage and the strength for the journey they are embarking on.
I felt this was a very nice touch and highly appropriate end to the conference where the whole theme was about working together and not expanding our energies on reinveting the wheel.
The Ugandan speakers were extremely interesting - the team included a surgeon and a survivor - they explained how they were working to the best of their ability with the very limited resources they have available and also trying to overcome to social stigma associated with breast cancer. Dr Moses told us that the country has 50 million people and of that 50% are under 15 years old. The national health budget is $12 per person - so of course there is nothing for breast cancer treatments and awareness - so most present as a Stage 3 or 4 at diagnosis.
The President of Europa Donna was another speaker - she outlined the mission of the organisation and also spoke of the disparities in Europe in services and conditions.
My conclusion from this entire conference is that we are so lucky in Australia to have access to wondeful treatments and support services! Even those who live in remote areas are FAR better off than so many other parts of the world. Australia is indeed a lucky country and we are blessed to be living there.
Many of the delegates I spoke with expressed a keen interest in coming to Australia the Reach for Recovery Conference which is being held in Brisbane next May - so it will be a chance to renew friendships. The photo is one of myself and some new survivor friends from the Bahamas.
All the dragon boaters that were in Caloundra and are here have told everyone what a wonderful time they had in Australia and what a fabulous event it was. Check the coordinators blog for more information on the dragon boater side of things!
It has been a wonderful time here, a great sharing experience and I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of some incredible people.
Michelle
Saturday, June 7, 2008
FIELD OF WOMEN - WINNIPEG
In 1998 I attended the very first Field of Women in Canberra - on that occassion I walked with my new friends Susan Tulley and Penny LaSette from NT Breast Cancer Voice in Darwin who have since gone on to become very special 'breast' friends of mine.
Winnipeg may be on the other side of the world to Canberra but t
here were so many similarities with that very first walk. I believe I was the only person there who would have been at both walks - and it seems incredible to think that I have been involved in breast cancer advocacy for the last 10 years - which I must say have gone in the blink of an eye!
It all began as I walked down to the main foyer of the conference centre and there below me was a sea of women - all donning white T-shirts - which we given, at no cost, to each of us and so were all the silhouettes. There was a table with permanent markers so we could each write a message on the silhouettes - but I don't think a lot of people knew this was what often happened - but they soon caught on!
The weather had been terrible all day, so it was decided not to go ahead with the planting on the lawns, but instead, we were all to walk to the Legislative Building and assemble on the grand staircase behind the speechmakers. Umbrellas were provided for all walkers and the roads were closed by the police making our walk easy and we also managed to avoid the worst of the rain puddles.
In Canberra 10 years earlier we had also walked in the rain, in silence, holding our pink silhouettes. We had assembled without the great technical fanfare that has accompanied more recent fields. Lyn Swinburne and Raelene Boyle spoke through a handheld megaphone at the first field and it was then that the BCNA was launched - after the consumer conference held in Canberra where I got the idea for Dragons Abreast.
It seemed like karama, that in this, the tenth year for Dragons Abreast, I should be here in Winnipeg, again following a conference, walking in the rain, again towards the parliament building, surrounded by amazing friends and survivors.I walked with some of my more recent friends, Eleanor Nielsen and Jacqui Kolber from Dragons Abreast Toronto and Cathy Prusak from Chemo Savvy. These are 3 women that I have also shared many special occasions with over the last 8 years and we have also bid farewell to many team mates that we all knew. It was a special time.
The walk was silent - and it reminded me very much of that very first one in Canberra. A difference between the walks was that we also scattered rose petals as we walked - beautiful hues of pinks and reds lined the street like a carpet.
Scotia Bank staff led the walk and as we approached the Legislature Building lined each side of the walk way. They stood in silent tribute to us as the gentle rain sprinkling down, as through the heavens were also silently weeping, pink silhouttes held proudly as we filed past.
Once inside the building the official speeches were made, Lexie Warren who is the Community Liaison for Dragons Abreast Australia and also involved with BCNA spoke and then Cathy Prusak followed up with the mammogram song which, originated here in Winnipeg. Jeff Dunn, Barb Schumley & Lexie Warren at the Field of Women
At the end of the cermonies no one was quite sure of what to do with their silhouttes but a bunch of us planted ours out in the flower beds. A vivid splash of colour in the grey day.
Todays newspaper carries a photograph but it is disappointing that there is no story linked to the photograph which explains what the Field of Women represents or its origins in Australia.
Michelle
Winnipeg may be on the other side of the world to Canberra but t
here were so many similarities with that very first walk. I believe I was the only person there who would have been at both walks - and it seems incredible to think that I have been involved in breast cancer advocacy for the last 10 years - which I must say have gone in the blink of an eye!It all began as I walked down to the main foyer of the conference centre and there below me was a sea of women - all donning white T-shirts - which we given, at no cost, to each of us and so were all the silhouettes. There was a table with permanent markers so we could each write a message on the silhouettes - but I don't think a lot of people knew this was what often happened - but they soon caught on!
The weather had been terrible all day, so it was decided not to go ahead with the planting on the lawns, but instead, we were all to walk to the Legislative Building and assemble on the grand staircase behind the speechmakers. Umbrellas were provided for all walkers and the roads were closed by the police making our walk easy and we also managed to avoid the worst of the rain puddles.
In Canberra 10 years earlier we had also walked in the rain, in silence, holding our pink silhouettes. We had assembled without the great technical fanfare that has accompanied more recent fields. Lyn Swinburne and Raelene Boyle spoke through a handheld megaphone at the first field and it was then that the BCNA was launched - after the consumer conference held in Canberra where I got the idea for Dragons Abreast.
It seemed like karama, that in this, the tenth year for Dragons Abreast, I should be here in Winnipeg, again following a conference, walking in the rain, again towards the parliament building, surrounded by amazing friends and survivors.I walked with some of my more recent friends, Eleanor Nielsen and Jacqui Kolber from Dragons Abreast Toronto and Cathy Prusak from Chemo Savvy. These are 3 women that I have also shared many special occasions with over the last 8 years and we have also bid farewell to many team mates that we all knew. It was a special time.
The walk was silent - and it reminded me very much of that very first one in Canberra. A difference between the walks was that we also scattered rose petals as we walked - beautiful hues of pinks and reds lined the street like a carpet.
Scotia Bank staff led the walk and as we approached the Legislature Building lined each side of the walk way. They stood in silent tribute to us as the gentle rain sprinkling down, as through the heavens were also silently weeping, pink silhouttes held proudly as we filed past.
Once inside the building the official speeches were made, Lexie Warren who is the Community Liaison for Dragons Abreast Australia and also involved with BCNA spoke and then Cathy Prusak followed up with the mammogram song which, originated here in Winnipeg. Jeff Dunn, Barb Schumley & Lexie Warren at the Field of Women
At the end of the cermonies no one was quite sure of what to do with their silhouttes but a bunch of us planted ours out in the flower beds. A vivid splash of colour in the grey day.
Todays newspaper carries a photograph but it is disappointing that there is no story linked to the photograph which explains what the Field of Women represents or its origins in Australia.
Michelle
MORE FROM WINNIPEG
The conference continues to be amazing and inspirational. Meeting lots of new people from all kinds of places! Pictured here are Julie (formerly of SA Dragons Abreast), Anita from Coffs Harbour and Pansie from Toronto)
There is lots of connection with Australia here. The morning started off with Jeff Dunn, CEO of the Cancer council Qld as the keynote speaker. Jeff went down very well - introduced as Mr Sunshine - and what could be more apt given his wonderful smile and the fact he comes from the Sunshine State (mine you it does rain everytime I go there!)
Attended a couple of wonderful workshops around the topic of Kids Can Cope and another about an amazing resource kit for adolescents - a program that is delivered in schools to create awareness. Lots of potential for something along these lines in Australia.
Dragon boat component was also yesterday - read more about that on the coordinators blog a little later.
I will also write up about the Field of Women too - but for now I must dash as it is party night and I am already late!
Michelle
Friday, June 6, 2008
DAY 2 - WORLD CONFERENCE
Another busy day. Jeff Dunn gave a great speech which stressed how important peer support was and what a valuable contribute it makes even though it is hard to pin down exactly what it is that makes the peer support work.
The talk on male breast cancer incidences and survival was also really fascinating - although this is the same disease men diagnosed do not seem to receive the same support as women and in fact the male survivor present told us that it is other guys who have a hard time understanding and accepting that males do get breast cancer.
The second session I attended was all about a program for children whose parents have cancer - very, very good and some great illustrations of things from the childs viewpoint.
The afternoon was the dragon boat session - which has to change to Plan B due to the inclement weather - I will be writing in detail on the coordinators blog about this bit.
Michelle
The talk on male breast cancer incidences and survival was also really fascinating - although this is the same disease men diagnosed do not seem to receive the same support as women and in fact the male survivor present told us that it is other guys who have a hard time understanding and accepting that males do get breast cancer.
The second session I attended was all about a program for children whose parents have cancer - very, very good and some great illustrations of things from the childs viewpoint.
The afternoon was the dragon boat session - which has to change to Plan B due to the inclement weather - I will be writing in detail on the coordinators blog about this bit.
Michelle
Thursday, June 5, 2008
WORLD CONFERENCE ON BREAST CANCER
The program is diverse and jam packed. There are 550 delgates from 32 countries represented - which is a fabulous mix.
Today was the first full day - and being here has brought back to me what a great movement the breast cancer survivor groups are. We have collectively managed to make so many contacts globally - and certainly Dragons Abreast has been a wonderful vehicle for this within Australia.
I would like to urge all of you who are interested in the bigger picture - beyond the paddling - to consider attending conferences. The next international one - Reach for Recovery - is being held in Australia - in Brisbane next May. There is a link on our home page http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/ - so go visit and think about registering!
Another aspect of conferences is the fun of meeting up with some of the old faces - and the women that I have been priveledged to share a dragon boat with over the years. Many of us wear many hats - and have our beginning and roots as breast cancer advocates.
My presentation was today and the attendees were diverse - some who were paddlers and many who were not. There were people there from Kenya and First Nation (Canadians) who wanted to learn more about the model, about how we, as Dragons Abreast in Australia, have achieved what we have over the last 10 years. Not because they want to paddle in dragon boats but because our model has worked. Dragons Abreast Australia members can all be mightily proud of themselves - as it has been a collective effort.
I had good discussions with a surgeon from Uganda as well as a doctor from Cuba and listened to a wonderful speaker - Annie Sasco from France who discussed her goals for establishing Centres for Environmental Onclogy - fascinating stuff and so interesting to learn more of what is happening in the world.
It was a real priviledge to be able to meet and share with all these wonderful people.
The common thread throughout this is the fact that it is indeed a small world, and we are all united in the fight against breast cancer. The epidemic is global and the solutions must be worked on globally.
It's also very exhausting (but exhilerating!) having the brain switched on all day long :)
Michelle
Today was the first full day - and being here has brought back to me what a great movement the breast cancer survivor groups are. We have collectively managed to make so many contacts globally - and certainly Dragons Abreast has been a wonderful vehicle for this within Australia.
I would like to urge all of you who are interested in the bigger picture - beyond the paddling - to consider attending conferences. The next international one - Reach for Recovery - is being held in Australia - in Brisbane next May. There is a link on our home page http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/ - so go visit and think about registering!
Another aspect of conferences is the fun of meeting up with some of the old faces - and the women that I have been priveledged to share a dragon boat with over the years. Many of us wear many hats - and have our beginning and roots as breast cancer advocates.
My presentation was today and the attendees were diverse - some who were paddlers and many who were not. There were people there from Kenya and First Nation (Canadians) who wanted to learn more about the model, about how we, as Dragons Abreast in Australia, have achieved what we have over the last 10 years. Not because they want to paddle in dragon boats but because our model has worked. Dragons Abreast Australia members can all be mightily proud of themselves - as it has been a collective effort.
I had good discussions with a surgeon from Uganda as well as a doctor from Cuba and listened to a wonderful speaker - Annie Sasco from France who discussed her goals for establishing Centres for Environmental Onclogy - fascinating stuff and so interesting to learn more of what is happening in the world.
It was a real priviledge to be able to meet and share with all these wonderful people.
The common thread throughout this is the fact that it is indeed a small world, and we are all united in the fight against breast cancer. The epidemic is global and the solutions must be worked on globally.
It's also very exhausting (but exhilerating!) having the brain switched on all day long :)
Michelle
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