Breast cancer survivors set conference in Cebu

The ICanServe Foundation brings to Cebu the Silver Linings, a homecoming for breast cancer survivors in the country and an educational forum on breast cancer.

The only one of its kind in the country, the event will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on September 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a registration fee of P100.

Topics for discussion include, among others, “Everything You Should Know About Breast Cancer,” “Dealing with the Side Effects of Treatments,” “Done with Cancer Treatments, What Next?,” “How the Other Half Copes,” “How Families Deal with Cancer,” “Grief, Fertility During and After Cancer Treatments Eating Right During and After Cancer,” “Look Good Feel Good, Journey of Hope”.

Part of the event, which is hosted by Pinky Marquez, is a free consultation with medical doctors and cancer survivors.  The C-Network offers free bone screening and fasting blood sugar on first come, first served basis.

Moderators include Karen Davila, Melissa de Leon while singer Bituin Escalante will cap the event.

During the gathering, Silver Linings will display a signature “gratitude wall,” where anyone can write about his or her journey of faith, courage and love while being afflicted with cancer.

The last Silver Linings, held in Metro Manila in 2005, helped erase the two things a cancer patient confronts - fear of the unknown and of being alone - by knowing more about the Big C through inspiring stories of survivorship, and by strengthening sisterhood.

Artist Jim Paredes and husband of a breast cancer survivor wrote to the organizers:

 “I caught myself often on the verge of tears brought about by a mixture of compassion, pride, joy and being witness to such greatness of spirit which seemed everywhere. Sometimes it manifested itself in a little conversation with a stranger survivor, or listening to a sharing, or just looking at a woman with her head covered with bandana carrying herself with such determination and courage… So many came to discover that there were others like them whom they could draw strength from.”

Held every three years, Silver Lining is staged by the ICanServe Foundation, an advocacy group that provides hope and information to breast cancer patients.  It also espouses early breast cancer screening. Its volunteers are mostly breast cancer survivors.

Silver Linings is made possible by the Waterfront hotel in Lahug, Cebu City, the C-Network, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sunday Inquirer Magazine, Cebu Daily News, ABS-CBN Cebu, UR 105, WRock, Pag-ibig, Pagcor with volunteers  from the Cancer Care Network of Cebu Foundation Inc, Can with God, Cebu Breast Association, Cebu Cancer Fight Inc, Kahayag Network, Philippine Oncological Nurses Association, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente, Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris and Cebu Gloriamaris.

For pre-registration and inquiries, those interested may contact 6332.2439370 (Cebu) 632.6873942 (Manila) or write to [email protected].

With its focus on communication and education, ICan Serve aims to bring cancer-challenged communities together and, thus, provide vehicles for understanding and awareness of the impact which cancers bring about to those affected. (PR)