Once again, Cancer Support Services (CSS) has hosted another successful conference. This, our fifth annual conference was convened on Saturday, July 02, 2016 at the Accra Beach Hotel, Christ Church.
Based on the theme: “Surviving Cancer,” the conference got off to a strong start with a solo, “Here I Am”, rendered by Miss Samantha Leacock. The participants were later addressed by CSS President, Ms. Kathy-Ann Kelly-Springer, and Chief Public Health Nurse, Mrs. Anne Murrell who deputised for Health Minister, Mr. John Boyce. The pre-break session included Patient Advocate, Shorma James’ blunt account of her interaction with medical and paramedical staff as she continues her journey since her diagnosis; and Anthony “CJ” Marshall’s riveting story as he reflected on his personal walk as he shares in his wife’s journey. These personal reflections resonated with the audience, and set the tone for the remainder of the conference.
The other presentations came from Rev. Paul Leacock who aptly followed the earlier two with “Coping with the Emotions After a Diagnosis of Cancer”, Dr. Charles Sklar of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Dwight Fitch and Dr. Sophia Edwards-Bennett, both of 21st Century Oncology, Florida, USA. Dr. Sklar’s topic was “The Long-term Side Effects of Cancer Treatment”, while Dr. Fitch answered the question: “How Do We Define Survivorship After a Cancer Diagnosis?” Dr. Edwards-Bennett brought the curtain down on the day’s proceedings as she examined the subjects, “The Follow-up Care After Cancer Treatment” and “Dealing with Cancer Recurrence”. Each presentation was outstanding, and appreciated by the 200 persons who attended this year’s conference. Thirteen percent of the attendees were physicians, with nurses accounting for some forty-three percent, and the remaining forty-four percent being caregivers, patients and interested persons.
Here are some more images from the conference and some video footage below.
Of course, to mount a conference of this nature requires much assistance and each year Cancer Support Services has benefited from the support of committed sponsors. This year, in addition to 21 Century Oncology, sponsorship came from Abbott Nutrition International (Ensure), Aqua Medical Spa, The Summitt Centre, Servier Caribbean Ltd. , Bryden Stokes Ltd., Biokal Ltd., Carib Supply (Barbados Inc.) Inc., MediLab Services Inc., Medford Craft World, Field Tech Staging Solutions, MGrafix Inc., Creative Vibes, H.B. Media Entertainment. All these have worked with us to ensure that the Conference was a success.
