Resonating Impact

Three short weeks ago, the 6th World Conference on Breast Cancer was about to start. Delegates from around the world were arriving in Hamilton, Ontario. Volunteers and staff were taking care of all of the last minute details that come up. There was the nervous buzz of excitement that one feels before an event of this size.

Now it almost all seems like a distant memory and yet the Conference is having resonating impact. We are already hearing from delegates who are returning to their home countries with stories of optimism and hope.

For example Dr. Shirley Jhagroo was able to attend from the Barbados team. Barbados has a very high mortality rate in breast cancer so it was good that she was able to attend. Shirley writes, "Thank you for inviting us to be part of the ISL (International Support Links), it certainly was a wonderful experience. I have returned to Barbados with such enthusiasm and determination to make things better for our women. I had a meeting with the members of the Breast Screening Program Committee yesterday, and could not contain myself as I was bursting with knowledge and ideas gained from the Conference to share with my committee, thank you for this opportunity."

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."