World Head and Neck Cancer Day, the Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society Conference and our very first fundraiser, Soup for the Soul.
Warming our souls
The response to our inaugural event, Soup for the Soul (S4TS), exceeded expectations with more than 20 individuals and groups hosting a physical soup event or a ‘virtual’ soup event across Australia including in Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland, NSW and South Australia. To date the Soup for the Soul event combined with WHNCD donations and awareness ribbon sales has raised $27,000 which will go directly to supporting Beyond Five’s activities to provide information and support to head and neck cancer patients, carers and healthcare professionals. Thank you to everyone who hosted or supported an event!
It’s not too late to support S4TS! Donations can still be made on the Go Fundraise site until the end of August.
Joint WHNCD Activities with Cancer Council Australia
As part of WHNCD we partnered with Cancer Council Australia (CCA) to design eye catching infographics encouraging Australians, particularly men, to become aware of the symptoms and risk factors of head and neck cancer, the importance of early detection and where to access support. The infographics have been viewed over 11,000 times on the CCA and Beyond Five sites and will continue to be shared throughout the year. Help spread them even further by sharing this link to your own networks.
WHNCD on the radio
More than 30 radio programs across Australia broadcast information about WHNCD as part of our joint WHNCD media activity with CCA. Dr Puma Sundaresan, Radiation Oncologist and Beyond Five Board Director and CCA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sanchia Aranda, featured in the coverage raising awareness about the number of head and neck cancers that are diagnosed in Australia each year, symptoms to be aware of and the importance of an early diagnosis. Back to top.
WHNCD across Australia
Hospitals from across Australia organised education stalls, screening clinics and/or Soup for the Soul events to raise awareness of head and neck cancer as part of WHNCD. Where possible Beyond Five supported local WHNCD activities by promoting event details on our social media portals and posted over 30 WHNCD packs including WHNCD, Beyond Five and S4TS posters, patient cards, About Us leaflets and HNC awareness ribbons to hospital organisers.
To promote details of head and neck cancer events in your local community or to order Beyond Five resources email Beyond Five.
ANZHNCS Conference
For the third year in a row Beyond Five exhibited at the ANZHNCS Conference in Melbourne from 26-27 July, an excellent opportunity to meet with healthcare professionals across the head and neck cancer multi-disciplinary team. We were grateful to be given the opportunity by the ANZHNCS Executive Committee to host a mini Soup for the Soul event as part of the Welcome Reception on Thursday evening. Guests enjoyed a variety of soups donated by La Zuppa while listening to Nadia Rosin from Beyond Five talk about our 3D animations, a popular resource for supporting healthcare professionals when educating their patients and carers. Watch the 3D nasopharynx animation here.
HNC Patient Book - Order your FREE copy now!
The 2018 Second Edition of the Australian Head and Neck Cancer Patient & Carers Book was launched in July 2018 at the ANZHNCS Conference in Melbourne. The book is a patient led initiative coordinated by former patient and Beyond Five Ambassador, Julie McCrossin, and fellow former patient Marty Doyle, coordinator of the Head and Neck Cancer Patient Support Group in Queensland.
The book shares many personal head and neck cancer stories from patients, family and carers from all over Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the book highlights some of the people who work in the head and neck multidisciplinary team who talk about important aspects of care at specific points in the head and neck cancer journey.
To order FREE hard copies of the 2018 Australian issue email: juliemccrossin@bigpond.com or text 0408 699 166 (text messages only please) or to download an e-copy visit: http://ow.ly/W40I50ib3LS
Spotlight on MDT staff
The healthcare professionals who work as part of the head and neck cancer multi-disciplinary team are truly remarkable people. In the lead up to WHNCD andS4TS we thought it was a fitting tribute to share some stories to showcase their expertise and dedication to caring for head and neck cancer patients before, during and after treatment. Thank you to everyone who agreed to be interviewed - to read the stories click on the links below.·
- Danielle Stone, Speech Pathologist, Royal North Shore Hospital NSW
- Teresa Brown, Dietitian, Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, QLD
- Kelly Richardson, Speech Pathologist, Liverpool Hospital, NSW
- Annie Johnson, Speech Pathologist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD
- Emily Wilson, Dietitian, The Memorial Hospital, SA
- Lisa Wilson, HNC Nurse Coordinator, WA
- Emma Charters, Speech Pathologist, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, NSW
Do you know a healthcare professional working in HNC that you think should be showcased? Let us know.
Patient profile: Tiel Lillehagen
Our sincere thanks to former Melbourne patient, Tiel Lillehagen, who shared his story about recently being treated for a HPV related tonsil cancer as part of our WHNCD awareness activities and for raising more than $7,000 for Soup for the Soul! Thanks also goes to Radiation Oncologist, Dr Tsien Fua, from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre who introduced us to Tiel and helped with the process. Click here to read Tiel’s story.
450 ribbons sold
For the first time in Australia, head and neck cancer awareness ribbons are now available and in the three months leading up to WHNCD more than 450 ribbons were sold. Thank you to everyone who purchased ribbons. The ribbons are available throughout the year and can be purchased for $3 per ribbon. To order please email Beyond Five.