"Together to an End",  The First Canada – U.S.  Breast Cancer Advocacy
Conference

November  17-20, 1996
Geneva Park  Conference Centre
Orillia,  Ontario

Conference Organizer
PISCES, Pat Kelly, President

Secretariat
O’Donoughue & Associates (o…@cam.org)

THE GROWTH OF BREAST CANCER ADVOCACY IN CANADA AND THE U.S.

Since the 1980′s there has been a significant increase in the number of
Canadian breast cancer groups and research organizations.  Each  person
and/or group  brings a unique approach to the collective effort to end the
suffering caused by breast cancer.

In the U.S., breast cancer survivors, patients and advocates have achieved
remarkable advances through the collective efforts of organizations such as
The National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO), The National
Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), and the Y-ME National Breast Cancer
Organization.

Since its beginnings in 1991, the U.S. National Breast Cancer Coalition
(NBCC) and its 350+ member organizations have dedicated their advocacy
efforts to "work to eradicate breast cancer through focusing national
attention on breast cancer and by involving patients and caring others as
advocates for action, advances and change."

In Canada, the 1993 National Forum on Breast Cancer marked a beginning for
many Canadian activists, survivors, researchers, government bureaucrats and
health-care providers who were seeking effective partnerships for their
advocacy efforts.  Many Canadians concerned about breast cancer believe
that the time is now for a national breast cancer coalition in Canada.
"Together To An End", The First Canada-U.S. Breast Cancer Advocacy
Conference is your opportunity to join in the pioneering effort to create
a national breast cancer coalition in Canada.

DEFINITELY NOT ANOTHER BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATION

"Together To An End",  is not just another breast cancer event.  Rather,
the conference will support co-operation and communication among existing
organizations.  By creating a strong, national coalition, built upon the
strengths and leadership of existing organizations, Canadians can renew all
of our efforts to end the suffering caused by breast cancer.
The findings of a pre-conference survey of 40 key-informants indicates that
the time has come for a change in Canada’s breast cancer efforts.
Canadian breast cancer patients, advocates and caring others are seeking to
create open communication, collective leadership and vision in the Canadian
breast cancer movement.  Canadians are also seeking ways in which they can
access and make use of information technology to stay informed about the
rapid changes which affect our understanding and decision-making about
breast cancer.

WHO WILL BE AT THE CONFERENCE

The 250 conference participants will come from across Canada and the U.S.
The delegates will include key decision-makers from  breast cancer support,
advocacy and information groups, oncologists, nurses, social workers,
researchers, government
representatives, related industry representatives, corporate
sponsors, media and journalists, representatives from breast
cancer charities and foundations.

THE ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED at the Conference

How might we increase funding for research?
How might we increase access to treatments and clinical trials?
How might we increase the influence of women living with breast cancer, in
all aspects of decision-making about the disease?
What guidelines are needed for corporate funding of breast cancer groups?
How can a breast cancer coalition effectively influence  health policy?
How might  the media help a coalition to influence public policy?
How is cancer research currently organized and funded in Canada?
Who are the breast cancer charities and organizations, and what are they doing?
How can a Canadian breast cancer coalition contribute to a research agenda?
Why are there differences in breast cancer treatment and survival?
Do Canadian and U.S. women receive different treatments?
Should there be a cancer coalition or a breast cancer specific coalition?
What should the government of Canada be doing about breast cancer?

For more information, send email to o…@cam.org, or visit the WWW page at
www.cam.org/~odon/breastcaadv