PUBLIC SPEAKING
My first public speaking engagement took place in 2014 in England. I was fearfully nervous, however as I begun speaking from the heart and the room fell silent, I found the experience to be exhilarating and empowering.
As early diagnosis is the best chance for survival, I am passionate about raising awareness and educating others. I hope that women will leave my talks better equipped to recognise the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer.
The following events that I have spoken at have inspired me to continue to advocate and share my story in the hope of making a difference in the lives of women with Ovarian Cancer and their families.
October 2018 - "Mater Research TRIP Sypmposium"
Scientific forum for researchers, clinicians and health professionals from Queensland’s leading medical research institutes, hospitals, health organisations and universities to learn and discuss how their research can inform changes in practice and healthcare strategies. I spoke about ANZGOG’s introduction of "Survivors Teaching Students" - a program to educate medical and nursing students about the symptoms and impacts of ovarian cancer on women.
April 2018 - "Challenging the status quo of women’s cancers"
for ANZGOG
Australia’s leading clinician researchers shared the latest studies, discoveries and programs in ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancer. I spoke about ANZGOG’s introduction of "Survivors Teaching Students" - a program to educate medical and nursing students about the symptoms and impacts of ovarian cancer on women.
March 2018 - "The Battle" Beach Volleyball Tournament
for Cherish Women's Cancer Foundation
The Battle is an annual Beach Volleyball Fundraising Tournament held by Cherish Women's Cancer Foundation. At the 2018 event, I was thrilled to share the stage with Professor Andreas Obermair and Olympic Gold Medallist Beach Volleyball Player, Natalie Cook. The night was a great success and raised over $140,000 for the charities' vital research.
March 2018 - "Afternoon Teal" for The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in support of Ovarian Cancer Australia
Afternoon Teal is an annual campaign by Ovarian Cancer Australia encouraging individuals and organisations to host fundraising events. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries held an afternoon tea for their staff where I guest spoke and over $500 was raised.
March 2018 - "Afternoon Teal" for Nicholsons Solicitors in support of Ovarian Cancer Australia
Afternoon Teal is an annual campaign by Ovarian Cancer Australia encouraging individuals and organisations to host fundraising events. My previous employer, Nicholsons Solicitors invited me into the office to guest speak at their office fundraiser and raised over $500.
December 2017 - "Christmas Luncheon" for Womens Forum in support of ANZGOG
The Women's Forum put on a spectacular Christmas Luncheon at the Hilton Hotel, Brisbane which raised over $6,000 for ANZGOG. Having only had surgery a few days prior to this event, I was very happy that I was still able to attend and share my story and knowledge with the audience.
August 2017 - "Survivors Teaching Students" at the University of Sydney for ANZGOG
Survivors Teaching Students is an educational program founded in the US which I am very passionate about. Ovarian Cancer survivors or caregivers are invited to speak to medical students to give a real-life perspective of their path to diagnosis. The aim is that these future medical professionals may be more aware and diligent in investigating a diagnosis despite a patient presenting with the typically vague symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. An earlier stage diagnosis significantly improves a woman's chance of long-term survival.
Survivors Teaching Students has now been introduced in Australia by ANZGOG and I was very excited to present at the first ever Australian session held at the University of Sydney. I am now the Regional Coordinator for Brisbane. Please click here for more information on this amazing program or to contact me if you would like to get involved.
November 2016 - "White Orchid Ball" at The Star, Gold Coast in support of Cancer Council QLD
The White Orchid Ball is an annual fundraiser headed by Emma Morrissey in memory of her parents. To date the event has raised over $250,000 for Cancer Council QLD. I was very honoured to be guest speaker at this very special event.
October 2016 -"Pink Ribbon Day Lunch" at The Star, Gold Coast
for Cancer Council QLD
The Star, Gold Coast held a Pink Ribbon Day Lunch to celebrate their sponsorship of Cancer Council QLD. Invitees included clients and staff to raise awareness of women's cancers.
May 2016 - "Hornets Go Pink" at Aspley Hornets Football Club in support of Cancer Council QLD
AFL team, the Aspley Hornets hosted a pink themed high-tea for150 guests and raised over $5,000 for women's cancer.
May 2016 - "Australia's Biggest Morning Tea"
for Cancer Council Redlands Branch
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea is an annual fundraising campaign run by the Cancer Council. I spoke at the Mother's Day Morning Tea Event at the Renaissance Retirement Living, Cleveland.
March 2016 - "Afternoon Teal" for Mcleod Country Golf Club in support of Ovarian Cancer Australia
Afternoon Teal is an annual campaign by Ovarian Cancer Australia encouraging individuals and organisations to host fundraising events. The Mcleod Country Golf Club held it's award ceremony for their women's golf championship and used this as an opportunity to host an Afternoon Tea where I was invited to speak. The Club also organised a raffle with proceeds donated to Ovarian Cancer Australia.
March 2016 - "Afternoon Teal" for The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in support of Ovarian Cancer Australia
Afternoon Teal is an annual campaign by Ovarian Cancer Australia encouraging individuals and organisations to host fundraising events. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries held an afternoon tea for their staff where I guest spoke and over $500 was raised.
June 2015 - "Survivors Teaching Students" at the University of Toronto for Ovarian Cancer Canada
Survivors Teaching Students is an educational program founded in the US which I am very passionate about. Ovarian Cancer survivors or caregivers are invited to speak to medical students to give a real-life perspective of their path to diagnosis. The aim is that these future medical professionals may be more aware and diligent in investigating a diagnosis despite a patient presenting with the typically vague symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. An earlier stage diagnosis significantly improves a woman's chance of long-term survival.
I was very excited to speak to an auditorium of future medical professionals at the University of Toronto, on behalf of Ovarian Cancer Canada.
Survivors Teaching Students has now been introduced in Australia, and I am the Regional Coordinator for Brisbane.
November 2014 - Queens College London, UK in support of
Ovarian Cancer Action
I was invited by London girls secondary school, Queens College to speak to their Year 13 cohort. Being only a couple of years older than the students, I was able to share my story and speak about the importance of knowing your own body and the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer.
October 2014 - "Black Tie Charity Ball" in Windsor, UK in support of Ovarian Cancer Action
I was invited to be the guest speaker at this charity ball organised to mark the 20th anniversary of the loss of the organiser's mother, Jan Evans to Ovarian Cancer. The ball was held in the beautiful and historic Beaumont House in Windsor, England and raised over £13,000. The family held a number of fundraising events throughout the year and ultimately reached their goal of £20,000 to mark the 20 years.
July 2014 - "Rock Choir Performance" in Maidenhead, UK in support of Ovarian Cancer Action
The Maidenhead Rock Choir performed at the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead, with the proceeds going to Ovarian Cancer Action. I was invited to share my story of Ovarian Cancer to the audience. It was a personal cause for the choir as one of their own, Shelly Hand was battling Ovarian Cancer. Shelley was my first teal-sister, and I was truly inspired by her courage and passion for fundraising. Shelley passed away only 4 months later in October 2014 aged 47.