Happy Birthday Canada - Joyeux Anniversaire le Canada

For those of you in nations much older, Canada is just a kid. 143. I am sure I have relatives in England, Germany, Holland, Russia and Austria (and various other nations who's blood lines run deep in my family) who have socks that are older.

All the same I am proud to be Canadian. I feel blessed to live in this wonderful country, especially given I have daughters.

When you live in Canada, as a woman, you can do anything you aspire to do. You can be a professor at a university. You can work in an office. You can be a doctor, lawyer, judge or politician. You can be a wife and have children. You can be the Prime Minister or CEO of a corporation. It is your choice and the choices are limitless.

There are many things about Canada that make it so special. From our amazing vistas to our diversity of culture. We are a tapestry of many differences. We are unique.

One thing that is special about Canada - is our access to free Health care. This is a luxury I do not take for-granted - especially in an urban centre - because I know that the access is limited in remote communities where the services are not as readily available. I also know that this is something that is not available at all to many woman around the world - we are lucky here.

I am proud to be Canadian - Happy Birthday Canada.

WCBCF was at the G20

Our Presiedent Leila Springer had the opportunity to meet with African Leaders at the G20. Here is what she said, "It was a great experience, everyone was there with their own agendas looking for the opportunity to table or share their concerns and mostly to network which I believe we all did a great deal of.

It was obvious that people were more concerned about business opportunities than the average person in Africa with health issues and the lack of support and resources. I used every opportunity I got to talk about our concerns, the present situation as we know it and what we are doing as an organization to support the women in Africa.

The event was attended by people from around the world, looking for business opportunities in Africa, mostly North Americans and mainly men. I made a lot of contacts, networked quite a bit and encouraged the business leaders to consider help for the women in rural areas with health issues who are mostly ignored for a variety of reasons.

I emphasized the importance of business development and investment but also the pressing need for providing and contributing to a healthy country. I received good reception from most, a few ran the other way because of my topic but in all it was a fruitful event for WCBCF.

Many who never heard of us both in North America and Africa, now know we exist and many are willing to sponsor some women to attend the conference so I have lots of letters to write.

Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement, it was worth it, if for no other reason than our International Support Links project."

Wishing yourself away

With all of the year end activities going on with my 12 year old daughter I am a little preoccupied with the transition from child to teen. So forgive me if my entries for awhile have a common theme.

My daughter loves sports, as a result she sweats. With the sweat comes the odd pimple. When she was getting ready for her dinner dance she pleaded with me to use some kind of cover-up to eliminate the sight of a few little spots she had on her chest.

This scenario vividly reminded me how insecure I got at that age. Strong in some ways, but always with the self doubting. My girlfriends were all more popular with the boys, prettier, slimmer, had nicer skin, perfect hair....

We are sucked into this vortex of what is physically beautiful. Now I know that physical beauty really has nothing to do with how attractive you are. At the time I could not be convinced of that and I am sure I will struggle to convince my daughter now.

I hear her say, "I wish my hair was ...., I wish my skin was..., I wish...."

She cannot wish her self away. She cannot be someone else, but then they cannot be her, although I am sure there are many who wish they could be - she is pretty awesome. All I need to do is somehow get her to see how amazing she is and how to embrace herself.

We age and lose physical beauty. We have surgeries that take away our breasts. What endures is our 'self'. It is our 'self' that really makes us beautiful, strong, charismatic, funny, intelligent and more. I never want to wish that away.

Milestones

Yesterday, my 12 year old daughter attended her ‘yearend’ celebration to mark an important milestone – the end of elementary school and transition into junior high school. Over the next few years, she will try to establish herself and find her path as she bumps and jostles her way through her teen years into young adulthood.

As I stood looking at all of the young girls and boys I saw the notable division as all of the boys standing on the left of the patio, pushing, fidgeting and laughing and the girls all standing on the right, giggling, preening and posing for the parents flashing cameras. The girls were all adorned in pretty dresses; hair fashioned in curls, tied up or flat-ironed in perfect place; faces tastefully painted and teetering on heels. The boys were wearing clean clothes.

The kids all moved through the doors, into their banquet room and I realized that everything was changing in that moment. My baby has become a young lady. I was proud, happy, and a little frightened too.

Have I given her enough tools to make the right choices, to connect with others who will respect her and cherish her, to deal with the stresses of adolescence and to pursue health relationships?
Does she know and understand how important it is to make healthy choices in her life now – eating the right things, exercise, sleep, hygiene, and avoiding toxins like drugs, alcohol and smoking? I know she will be tempted by peers – is she strong enough to follow her own path and dance to her own drummer?

Time will tell. I must now stand and watch – guide when I can – support her – and be ready to catch her if she slips.

I guess this is a milestone for me too.

No Regrets

A friend writes a blog and she posted a video that you have to watch. Check her out her entry called 'NO REGRETS'. http://dhana.ca/blog/?p=415.

I was sitting at my computer watching this - grinning like a fool. It is great!

Free Hugs

I thought this was wonderful - I needed to share.

Click here - Free hugs.

I need to get a tissue - I feel so happy.

WCBCF to Meet with G20 African Leaders

Our President, Leila Springer, has been invited to attend a G20 Business Seminars with African Leaders.

At a recent International Support Links meeting, it was agreed that the WCBCF needs to maintain our commitment to the African continent while looking at including other underdeveloped countries. It was also agreed that we need to find out from the individuals we will be working with what was important to them and what help they needed to provide us with information which would enable us to enhance and plan an appropriate programs.

Attending this G20 meeting provides an opportunity to not only meet with the political leaders, which is important to plant seeds of possible change for the women working in these countries and raising awareness, but also meet some influential people who can be advocates for the women working in the health care system and in the communities back home.

The WCBCF has managed, through work with countries throughout the world, to get a solid sense of what barriers many women face: such as access, resources and cultural. The WCBCF is committed to making the needed connections to remove these barriers and the G20 Business Seminar is a step in the right direction.

National Aboriginal Day

Today is National Aboriginal Day in Canada. In 1996, June 21st was officially declared as National Aboriginal Day. June 21 was chosen because it is the summer solstice and, for many generations, Aboriginal Peoples have celebrated their culture and heritage on this day.

This celebration of Aboriginal cultures within Canada aims to bring about awareness to the rest of Canadian society, of all aspects of art, music, oral history and traditional games.

I thought it especially important to recognize this day because of what work the World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation does. We reach out to all who want to hear or speak about issues related to breast cancer to raise awareness. We strive to provide delegates with tools so that they can share information and create support infrastructure back in their communities.

We talk about nations that do not have access to services and about cultural barriers that prevent women from seeking assistance when they find they have a lump in their breast or learn they have breast cancer.

You do not have to travel outside of Canada's boarders to find women in this situation. Sandra Ahenakew, who is on the WCBCF Board of Directors and leads the Aboriginal Outreach Commitee told me that Aboriginal people are uncomfortable talking about cancer, let alone breast cancer. There are the same stigmas with male doctors, for Aboriginal women as there are in other cultures throughout the world. She also told me that women who are diagnosed often do not have access to services and feel very isolated.

Today, if you are in Canada, take a little time to learn more about our First Nations people in your geographical location. If you are elsewhere, learn something about a different culture. Understanding our cultural differences will help us understand and deal with barriers associated with raising breast cancer awareness in all cultures.

In my region the Aboriginal people are the Squ-HO-o-meesh (the Squamish people) and fall under the modern name of Coast Salish. I learned that the people in this region, after contact with European settlers, decided to come together as one band in 1923. The intent was to protect and fight for their land, which was being taken by railroads and settlers. They were and are governed by 16 Chiefs and successfully stopped others from taking their land reserves. They are a water people. The Squamish Nation was a co-host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Buttercups

For what ever reason this last couple of weeks has been extremely busy for me (as you can tell from the absence of blog entries). I constantly feel rushed and under pressure.

My 12 year old daughter has a field hockey tournament this weekend. Normally we have enough players at our games to allow for regular rotation. Due to conflicting schedules we only have enough girls to make up a team. This means that the girls are running non stop from start to finish. Needless to say if I could remove a barrier to ensure that one the girls could make the game - I was going to.

Last night one of the girls was going to miss a game as she had to babysit her two year old sister. I offered to take the two year old and her sister (our player) to the game and back home again after. The deal was sealed. I picked up the girls and off to the game we went.

I had forgotten how much work a two year old is, and how much fun. My little charge was a little nervous with me because she does not know me well. She has seen me numerous times talking to her mom, but has always been quite shy. I decided to make her comfortable we would walk around the outside of the field so she could see her sister.

What an adventure. We turned over every rock, picked up every pine cone, piece of string, and twig. We pointed out birds, dogs, doggie doodoo deposits, and beautiful flowers for mommy (which fortunately were not in close proximity to each other).

By the time we were done we have a lovely bouquet of buttercups. For weeds they sure are pretty. It reminded me that I need to slow down and notice what is important. Like buttercups.

We made our way back to the stands and walked up and down the stairs over and over again. Soon the game was over and it was time to go. I am sure the little one slept very well last night. I did.

eNews Coming Your Way

I finished up our second edition of the WCBCF eNews. There are some good updates on the Annual General Meeting and a great story from Tanzania. If you want to be added to the distribution list just pop an email off to info@wcbcf.ca and ask to added to the eNews letter distribution list.

I did not talk much about the new Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee - probably should have said more because this is one of the first of it kind for this type of conference.

I have to admit this conference and Foundation are different from anything I have ever seen - it brings survivors - medical - scientists together into one place to share.

Gives me goose bumps just thinking about the power of the exchange.

Training Hike

I am about to head off to Ambleside Park to do a training hike for the Seek the Peak relay. I have less than a month for training so I am starting to push myself. I have already done 1 hour on the treadmill today.

This is a picture of where the trail starts at the Capilano River. It is all up hill from here.

Julie

A friends daughter’s mother in law passed away today – she was diagnosed with breast cancer barely a year ago.

We hear the statistics all of the time: 1 in 9 diagnosed, 80% survival. It can be very easy to forget that our mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, grandmothers, granddaughter, friends ... are behind the statistics.

You know who that '1' (of 9) is. You love someone who is in the 20% and did not beat cancer.

Live your life with passion today, tomorrow, everyday - for Julie, all you have lost, those still fighting, everyone left behind and yourself.

One Year Today - The Count Down is On

Today, marks one year until the 6th World Conference on Breast Cancer to be hosted by Hamilton, Ontario from June 7 to 11, 2011. The Conference is the only Canadian conference that brings together breast cancer survivors, supporters, health-care professionals and researchers from around the world.

The Conference creates opportunities to examine issues in all their variety and complexity, giving equal voice to the person affected by breast cancer, the clinician, the scientist, and the advocate. In this way, international knowledge is shared and enriched from a number of perspectives that broaden expertise, deepen sensitivity and respect, and accelerate progress in confronting breast cancer.

In 2008, more than 600 delegates from 32 countries participated in the Conference held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. At the 2010 Annual General Meeting on June 5, 2010, it was determined that an expected 1,000 delegates from 40 countries will participate in the 2011 Conference.

“Through the conferences, our delegates share their breast cancer experiences and knowledge from varying cultural perspectives and roles,” says Leila Springer, President, World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation. “The shared goal is to improve the impact breast cancer has on women and men globally.”

At the 2010 Annual General Meeting, the Conference’s Youth Day was approved. The youth component will be open to two hundred high school and undergraduate university students from the around the world. These individuals will represent breast cancer advocates, individuals who have been impacted by breast cancer or are interested and concerned about breast cancer prevention and risk reduction. The one-day session will include interactive presentations and workshops focused on prevention by sharing knowledge on healthy lifestyle choices, safe daily-care products, and screening.

The 2011 Conference’s premier sponsor is Scotiabank and other sponsors include Tourism Hamilton, The Hamilton Spectator, Rethink, and Pioneer Petroleums.

World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation
The World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation is a charity dedicated to international and multi-disciplinary action on breast cancer. It is dedicated to holding a global conference on breast cancer every three years in Canada as part of its mission to increase awareness and advance action on breast cancer through knowledge exchange, capacity building, advocacy and global networking.

Website: www.wcbcf.ca
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/World-Conference-on-Breast-Cancer-Foundation/196924901407
Twitter: http://twitter.com/wcbcf

The AGM is coming to a close

What an amazing few days. I sat in awe of the terrific work our Board members and committees have accomplished. The line up of speakers, entertainment, International countries that are joining the International Support Links Project, sponsorships.....

I cannot wait to tell you more in the coming days. We are wrapping up this morning and heading home. I feel satisfied exhaustion.

Ladies Start Your Engines

Bright and early and ready to go. I am looking around the table in our meeting room as we are about to start our AGM for the World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation.

Very exciting!

Give me a muffin and coffee and we are off to the races!

We will tweet you some more later. To follow us on Twitter go to http://twitter.com/wcbcf

We Are in Hamilton

The Board of Directors are meeting in Hamilton this weekend for our AGM. I am going to teach the Board member how to tweet tonight. So go to our website at www.wcbcf.ca and click the 'Twitter' link. It will be interesting to see what everyone tweets about.

Enjoy Every Moment

One of our WCBCF Board members, Nina, has recently had surgery to remove a lump, which she found herself. We exchanged emails today, after she told us that she is recovering well and gave us an up date on what she is doing. Here is my response to her:

"Thank goodness for Breast Self Exams. I too found my own lump. As far as the comment you made on "not been doing any housework, but taking it easy, exercising 3 x a day, reading, going for walks and enjoying sunlight" - that sounds like something everyone should try from time to
time - why wait until we are forced to."

Wishing Nina a speedy recovery.

Read more about Nina at http://www.wcbcf.ca/foundation/directors/archives/7