Cancer in many of its hideous forms has taken too many of my loved ones. But some of my dearest friends and family have thankfully fought it bravely and survived, for which I’m ever so grateful.
They are the reason I am a proud and tireless ambassador for various cancer research groups, including the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) which is the leading national gynaecological cancer research group in Australia.
I’m not alone when I say cancer has broken my heart with the loss of each loved one. Statistics show that too many of us have been touched by cancer.
We need to continue to help raise funds, to aid research, and to support the various groups doing wonderful work to fight such a hideous disease, and support those who are afflicted by it, and their families and friends suffering along with them.
Unfortunately, gynaecological cancer doesn’t get much support or media exposure. I guess people find the word Vagina offensive, and some networks won’t even allow you to mention it (don’t get me started on that one)!
But the ANZGOG team (who are also the legends behind the Save The Box campaign for which I am also an ambassador) are now in their third year of a fantastic, fun, healthy initiative which will help not only stop the silence on gynaecological cancer but raise MUCH needed funds for research and rehabilitation.
At present there are over 16,000 women living with some form of gynaecological cancer, and that’s 16,000 too many. In 2015, more than 1,730 women died from a gynaecological cancer- there are seven gynae cancers: ovarian, vaginal, endometrial, vulvar, cervical and two rare pregnancy cancers.
Sadly, endometrial cancer is on the rise. Diagnosis has increased 22% in the past 20 years. Six out of 10 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will not be alive within five years of diagnosis compared to those diagnosed with breast cancer, where there is now a 90% survival rate in the first five years (yay for that at least)!
So how can we help gynaecological cancer get the attention, support and funds breast cancer does?
The first step is signing up for GO Step for Gynae!
Help us raise $150,000 this year to put 100 women on a clinical trial. All the funds raised will go to clinical trial research into gynaecological cancer. Clinical trials are the best possible way to ensure new and better treatments are available to our mothers, sisters, daughters and girlfriends.
Thank you,
With love,
Annalise xxx
