Pictured: Carole Pollard, Patient Representative at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance’s People and Communities Conference
As someone living with stage four metastatic breast cancer for six years, I jumped at the chance to go along to the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance’s People and Communities Conference to find out more about all the excellent work being done in cancer care.
Delegates at the People and Communities Conference taking part in energising tai chi with Rob from Prehab4Cancer
First up: starting the day with a bit of energising tai chi with Rob from Prehab4Cancer. It really set the tone for the day by showing that movement matters, which is a message I’m really passionate about both in my personal and my work life.
17,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in Greater Manchester, so it was fantastic to hear from Claire O’Rourke, Managing Director of the Cancer Alliance, about the incredible progress being made against patient care targets and commitments despite the challenging financial climate we’re in.
What I loved most about the conference was the varied range of speakers and stories which really kept things interesting.
Ehinor Otaigbe from Wonderfully Made Woman speaking into a microphone at the People and Communities Conference
We heard everything from the latest improvements in cancer care, to powerful and emotive patient and carer stories. It was also fantastic to hear from some of the many grassroots community organisations out there supporting people through their cancer journey, such as Ehinor Otaigbe from Wonderfully Made Woman – so inspiring!
The focus on living well with and beyond cancer was packed with practical support and advice which will be so useful in my own life. Also, hearing from Clare Garnsey about how the GM Cancer Alliance is the first to have a dedicated metastatic cancer strategy made me beyond grateful that I’m fortunate enough to be treated here in Greater Manchester.
I loved everything about the day (apart from maybe the heatwave!) and want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in making the day as inspiring and informative as it was.
