Young women affected by breast cancer invited to benefit from travel grants

Twenty young women affected by breast cancer are set to benefit from travel grants to attend the second National Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer, to be held on the Gold Coast later this year.

The conference is being hosted by Cancer Council Queensland and will be a unique opportunity for young breast cancer patients and survivors to build support networks.

Conference organiser for Cancer Council Queensland, Megan Dwyer, said the conference will reduce the sense of isolation often experienced by young women affected by the disease.

“A diagnosis of breast cancer can be particularly distressing for young women, who face the confronting reality of cancer at a time in their life when they least expected it,” she said.

“The conference is an important way of creating much greater support so that women affected by breast cancer feel empowered to cope at every stage, from diagnosis to life after breast cancer.

“These travel grants are provided to assist women who may not be able to attend the conference without financial assistance, allowing them to be a part of an event that will assist them in dealing with their diagnosis and experience with cancer.”

The 2010 conference will be held at the Radisson Resort Gold Coast on September 10 to 12.

Karla Harvey was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32, and received a travel grant to attend the inaugural conference in 2007.

“The conference enabled me to talk openly and in detail about my experience with cancer, knowing that those I was speaking to would really understand.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and after beating the disease I started volunteering with Cancer Council Queensland, to support others diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said.

“The conference gave me insight into treatment, which can be overwhelming when you’re going through it, and it enabled me to finally process my experience to better support other women with breast cancer.

“Most importantly, I formed strong friendships with other young women, by sharing my story with them, and hearing of their battle with cancer.”

Karla had two young children prior to her diagnosis and since recovering from breast cancer has given birth to twins in 2008.

Recipients of the travel grants will receive free registration for the conference plus two nights twin share accommodation at the conference venue and/or subsidised travel costs up to a total of $400 (excl. GST) per delegate.

The deadline for online applications is Friday June 11, 2010.

To find out more or apply for the travel grants or to sign up for regular email updates on the conference program, registration and other special activities, please visit  www.ywcaustralia.org.au