Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Teaching and healing
Link to the video
Transcript below:
The relationship between a student and teacher can be incredibly powerful.
In a fourth grade class in Littleton, Colorado the connection is not only strong, but healing too.
Kim Christiansen explains.
"So what do we know so far?"
TEACHABLE MOMENTS.
THEY CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME.
IN MRS. DEL DUCA'S 4TH GRADE CLASS -- MAPS AND TEXTBOOKS TAKE STUDENTS TO PLACES FAR AWAY IN THE IMAGINATION.
A LITERARY ESCAPE FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHER.
"You know what they actually help me you know cause I can't think about my real life when I was 25 of these guys running around needing my attention...so I tell them you know I hope I can help you as much as you've helped me."
IN HERE MRS. DEL DUCA CAN ALMOST FORGET SHE HAS STAGE 4 COLON CANCER. SHE'S TOLD STUDENTS THE SMALL PURSE SHE WEARS IS FOR THE CHEMOTHERAPY...
"A lot of times, it's kinda harsh for her to have all the chemo and everything else, so I think it just makes us happier and her happier to have us here...right now my statistics from what I've researched is 10% to live for the next 5 years, so that's pretty low."
THREE TIMES SHE HAS TRIED AND FAILED TO GET HER INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL SURGERY AND CHEMOTHERAPY.
"Like I said in the board meeting experimental depends on if you have cancer or not."
UNDAUNTED...SHE WILL KEEP TRYING AND KEEP TEACHING...
"We just gotta keep on going in life instead of just stopping when you have a wall you have to climb pretty much...so instead of stopping when there's a struggle - just keep on going."
TEACHABLE MOMENTS -- YOU MIGHT FIND THEM IN A TEXTBOOK....
"Then it says but you children seem to be bringing her back to life...you guys I'm going to make a connection to that...cause you guys help me get through my sickness, so these children."
WHAT YOU'LL IN MRS DEL DUCA'S 4TH GRADE CLASS ...ARE WORDS TO LIVE BY...AND A TEACHER FIGHTING TO LIVE.
"I hope that they learn much more than a textbook could even teach them as far as empathy and compassion for others...I think that they have. These are my kids and i love them...I do."
Del Duca's friends and family are trying to help her raise the more than 80-thousand dollars she needs for a treatment that her doctor believes may actually be her cure.
Link to article
Link to the video
Link to the transcript Read more!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Landmark Conference Brings Together Breast Cancer Advocates in the MENA Region
Survivors participting in the conference
This landmark regional event was a unique opportunity for leaders in the women’s health and breast cancer awareness movement throughout the region to meet, share information, learn and explore ways to improve breast cancer awareness, detection and care for women in their local communities. Participants included advocates, grassroots leaders, doctors, nurses, government officials and academics.
Her Royal Highness Princess Dina of Jordan, addressing the crowd at the Opening Ceremony
Each day was launched by a plenary session focusing on a particular topic:
- Day 1: Breast Cancer - The Comparative MENA Experience
- Day 2: The Role of Research in Effective Outreach
- Volunteerism in the MENA Region/Targeted Outreach
- Cause-Related Marketing and Private Sector Involvement
- Health Communications Strategies and Health Education
- Networking for Advocacy - Working Locally and Expanding Regionally
Each break-out session triggered discussions regarding the application of session topics to local needs and challenges in each individual country. As local contexts vary from country to country, interesting disparities arose between countries with different levels of financial and human resources. Discussions among countries with complementary strengths and weaknesses was of particular interest, and seemed to trigger opportunities for collaboration and further discussion.
Breast Cancer organizations set up informational stands which were displayed for the duration of the conference, and were highlighted during the Poster Session
In addition to the daily plenary and break-out sessions, participants engaged in activities offering opportunities to network with colleagues from around the region, and continue conversations initiated during the break-out sessions. In the end, participants left with new friends and ideas which they aim to cultivate and build upon in the year ahead.
Ms. Jamlah Ireqat poses a question to panelists during the Closing Session
In order to maintain the momentum created by the conference, participants are currently registering for the:
- Partnership Website - provides information about the Partnership, including activities, programs, news, resources, Founding Partner organizations, and various ways to get involved.
- Partnership Network - provides a platform for interaction between advocates, activists, and members of the medical community who are interested in promoting breast cancer awareness in the MENA region. This social-networking site allows members to create a profile, post pictures videos, share links, chat, participate in discussions, create groups and events, and generally build their professional network around the cause of breast cancer in the MENA region.
For more information, please visit and register for our website, and join our network!
Read more!Friday, October 17, 2008
IVLP Women Discuss Breast Cancer
As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the women participating in the October program are all involved in the fight against breast cancer in their countries, which include:
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Palestinian Territories
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
Following a presentation of the US-Middle East Partnership by ICF International, the discussion focused on breast cancer related issues of each country represented in the room. The diverse expertise of the group led to an interesting exchange of information ranging from the need for Oncology nurses in Syria, to the growing network of Egyptian medial students involved in raising breast cancer awareness on college campuses.
It is clear that the amount of work being done in these countries is unknown and unrecognized, particularly outside of the region. Contrary to popular belief, activities promoting the fight against breast cancer are being undertaken, and have been successful in communities throughout the Middle East. The challenge at this point is to inform entities outside of local communities of what is being done, so that there can be national and/or regional coordination where progress is being made.
In order to build upon successes and lessons learned of medical and advocacy groups throughout the Middle East, information needs to be shared. Forums for discussion such as the IVLP program are valuable in that they build bridges not only between the U.S. and the Middle East, but also between critical actors already active and mobile in the region.
If you are interested in joining a network of individuals and groups fighting breast cancer in the U.S. and the Middle East, join the:
Partnership and the Partnership Network
For more on the IVLP program, visit: http://exchanges.state.gov/ivlp/index.html
Read more!Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Lighting the White House Pink
Read more!