Advocacy group launched to fight for the rights of cancer patients

From a public health perspective, cancer is just one of many pressing political issues, but for people with cancer and their families it is an immediate and urgent problem.
An advocacy initiative, Campaigning for Cancer, has since been established to fight for the rights of cancer patients.

“Through empowering people with cancer and cancer survivors to voice their opinions, we hope to see a growing body of people who will help drive real change in the way health services are delivered, said Samatha Galliet, founder and director of Campaigning for Cancer.

The 31-year-old breast cancer survivor made headlines with her ‘David and Goliath' battle to get life-saving Herceptin treatment paid for by her medical aid.

The Campaigning for Cancer, a Southern Africa advocacy group based in Johannesburg, aims to give a voice to the thousands of people living with cancer. The organization hopes to lobby for the promotion and protection of the rights of patients and those affected by cancer.

Galliet says they organisation has observed that patients and their families in developed countries are now actively speaking up.
“There's a need to address the endemic problems in the healthcare systems of the developing world as well. This is in order to gain better access to quality care and up to date treatments, ensure that they have the right to an enhanced quality of life and more advanced palliative care,” she says.

To this end the Campaigning for Cancer conference has been organised. It will take place in Johannesburg next month to discuss challenges faced by people living with and those affected by cancer.

Participants will explore emerging issues in public policy and medical practice, learn about the latest in cancer research and science and sharpen their advocacy abilities.
Leading experts from scientific and research fields will discuss new and often controversial issues in the struggle to diagnose, treat, cure - and ultimately prevent - cancer.

The conference will also feature nationally and internationally recognized experts who will answer some of the most important cancer advocacy questions of the decade.

For a complete list of speakers and a conference brochure, please visit Campaign for Cancer website at www.campaign4cancer.com
The conference takes place from Friday, October 5th through Sunday, October 7th at The Forum, in Bryanston, Johannesburg.

For more details and to register, please visit www.campaign4cancer.com