Past WCBC Highlights
Heart, Soul & Science: It's a Small World After All!
Our last conference took place June 4 to 8, 2008 - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The World Conference serves women and men with breast cancer, along with the friends, family, and the community networks that support them. Delegates benefit from interactive workshops, conference speakers, poster presentations and much more.
By: Pam Depres
Director - World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation
5th World Conference on Breast Cancer
Heart, Soul & Science: It's a Small World After All
June 4-8 2008 - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The 5th World Conference on Breast Cancer was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from June 4-8th, 2008 and attracted over 650 delegates from across the globe, representing 31 countries. Delegates from as far away as Australia, Malaysia, Africa, Europe, India and South America were in attendance sharing their knowledge, expertise and experience. Participants included survivors, caregivers, health professionals, researchers, scientists and advocates, who benefited from interactive workshops, an impressive list of conference keynote speakers, concurrent sessions, and poster presentations. Delegates were also entertained by a host of talented performers, including multi-cultural and First Nations performances, as well as a variety of moving and enjoyable musical pieces.
The memorable theme for the 5th World Conference, Heart Soul and Science - "It's a Small World After All" provided the overarching framework for the program that focused on the lyrics from the song, "It's A Small World" written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman for Walt Disney:
It's a World of LAUGHTER (Support and Survivorship Issues)
A World of TEARS (Diagnosis and Treatment Information and Support)
It's a World of HOPES (Prevention and Hereditary/Genetics Research)
And a World of FEARS (Fear of Recurrence/Advanced Cancer Support)
There's so Much that we SHARE (Intl Outreach/Multi- Cultural &First Nations)
That it's Time we're AWARE (Advocacy and Awareness)
It's a Small World After All
The 2008 Conference was proud to host Phase II of the International Support Links project which was originally designed as a pilot project prior to the 2002 World Conference on Breast Cancer in Victoria. This Conference provided another opportunity to create links and provide opportunities for advocacy training and education between teams of Canadians active in the breast cancer community and teams of delegates from developing countries and/or countries in transition. Sunday's portion of the program hosted an informative and "eye opening" presentation by several international delegates who shared their challenges within their developing countries in which they lived. This experience helped broaden expertise while deepen sensitivity and respect. Many conference delegates had the opportunity to exchange contact information with new friends that were made from around the world who could support and share similar experiences, as well as valuable information.
Conference delegates were also invited to attend a moving and powerful event - The Field of Women - which despite the rain, many supporters attended and walked silently from the Convention Centre to the Legislative Building where participants gathered on the grand staircase inside. Each participant carried a pink lady silhouette representing those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and whose lives were lost to the disease. This event was originated by the Breast Cancer Network Australia and has traveled throughout Australia and the U.K. to raise awareness. The 5th World Conference was proud to host this important event which marked the first time for the Field of Women concept in North America. The lovely pink lady silhouettes still covered the legislative grounds days later as a reminder of the many lives lost by breast cancer.
The Conference also offered a Youth Day for the first time in the WCBCF history. Through interactive games, activities, displays and presentations, youth delegates learned all about breast health and risk reduction. Presentations were made with regard to genetics, the environment and ways that youth can get involved in the fight against breast cancer. It was a fun day for all and most importantly - a great way to learn and be involved.
Many delegates wore floral attire as they enjoyed the Saturday evening "Garden Party Gala Dinner" which included an informative and entertaining keynote address by Dr. Annie Sasco, MD, PhD, team leader of Epidemiology for Cancer Prevention in an Inserm (NIH) research unit at the medical school of the Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2 University in France. Dr. Sasco spoke on the various global challenges related to breast cancer including environmental issues and prevention. A variety of musical entertainers followed, with a finale of dancing and singing with Winnipeg's local Tri-Chorders Band, who enthusiastically invited delegates to participate with the singing group on stage.
The World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation wishes to thank its board members, sponsors, volunteers, staff and delegates who made this event a significant success. The World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation is pleased to have reached their goals and objectives, which were clearly supported by the overwhelming and positive response made by many of the delegates who attended. Please browse our website for conference photos, activities and updates for future events.
Each year, more than one million women are diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 400,000 die from the disease. Today there are close to four million women living with breast cancer on our planet. In response, the World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation is dedicated to global action on breast cancer by creating a safe forum through hosting a World Conference every three year where individuals around the world can share their experiences, be understood, cared for, and supported.
2008 Program
Pre-Conference Day - Wednesday, June 4th
14:00-16:00 - Registration and Check-In
16:30-18:00 - River of Life: The Women of the 2006 Paddlers Abreast Team (29519)
Ms. Kay Leung - National Film Board of Canada (Canada)
Film Presentation followed by discussion period
18:00-21:00 - Welcome Reception
Day 1
Thursday, June 5th
7:30-8:30 - Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30-8:45 - Welcome and Opening Remarks - Ms. Barbara Shumeley
(President, World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation)
LAUGHTER - SURVIVORSHIP
8:45-9:30 - Keynote Speaker - Ms. Carol Ann Cole (Canada)
“When Cancer Brings Clarity”
9:00-17:00 - Exhibit Area Open
9:45-10:45 - SESSION A - Concurrent Podium Presentations (Select 1 of 9)
10:45-11:15 - Break - Networking, Exhibits & Poster Presentations
11:15-12:45 - SESSION B - Concurrent Interactive Workshops (Select 1 of 9)
12:45-13:45 - Lunch - Networking, Exhibits & Poster Presentations
SHARE - MULTI-CULTURAL
13:45-14:45 - Keynote Speaker - Dr. Lovell A. Jones (United States)
14:45-15:15 - Break - Networking, Exhibits & Poster Presentations
15:15-16:15 - SESSION C - Concurrent Podium Presentations (Select 1 of 9)
AWARE - GLOBAL ISSUES
18:00-21:00 - Welcome Dinner - Keynote Speaker - Dr. Annie Sasco (France)
“The Greatest Threat to Women’s Health: Breast Cancer in the World”
Day 2
Friday, June 6th
7:30-8:30 - Registration and Continental Breakfast
Sunrise Session, Round table discussion, Meet an expert
8:30-8:45 - Welcome and Opening Remarks - Ms. Barbara Shumeley
(President, World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation)
TEARS - DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
8:45-9:30 - Keynote Speaker - Dr. Jeffrey Dunn (Australia)
9:45-10:45 - SESSION D - Concurrent Podium Presentations (Select 1 of 9)
10:45-11:15 - Break - Networking, Exhibits & Poster Presentations
11:15-12:15 - SESSION E - Concurrent Podium Presenations (Select 1 of 9)
12:15-13:15 - Lunch - Networking, Exhibits & Poster Presentations
12:15-16:00 - Dragon Boating Group Activity (Please see Body, Mind & Soul below)
Off-Site - Bag Lunch and bus to River site for boating
Complimentary Presentation - 5B at 11:15 on Thursday
SURVIVORSHIP THROUGH HEALING ARTS & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
13:15 - 13:45 - Therapeutic Art in Breast Cancer (30257)
Dr. Ron MacCormick & Ms. Dinao MacCormick - Cape Breton District Health Authority (Canada)
14:00-16:00 - BODY, MIND AND SOUL WORKSHOPS
Select 1 of 14 including Dragonboating at 12:15
17:00-18:00 - Field of Women - Breast Cancer Network Australia
20:00-22:00 - Relay for Life - Canadian Cancer Society
Day 3
Saturday, June 7th
THE YOUTH - OUR HOPE FOR TOMORROW
7:30-8:30 - Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00-8:30 - Welcome and Opening Remarks - Ms. Barbara Shumeley
(President, World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation)
Co Leads - Katrina Mazza and Bonnie Bisnett
-
CCS Researchers of tomorrow program
Display of Projects: Participants from Kindergarten-Grade 12 -
Trish Bronch - CEO - CBCF Prairies/NWT Chapter
Youth Advisory Council -
Mark McDonald - ED, Canadian Cancer Society, Manitoba Division
Researcher of Tomorrow Project
HOPE - ADVANCES IN MEDICINE
8:30-9:30 - Keynote Speaker - Dr. William Foulkes (Canada)
“Hereditary Breast Cancer: What is it and Why is it Important?”
Interview with Sandra Ahenakew - Hereditary Breast Cancer
9:45-10:45 - SESSION F - Concurrent Podium Presentations (Select 1 of 9)
10:45 - 11:00 - Break - Networking, Exhibits and Poster Presentations
11:00-12:30 - Environmental Issues - Panel Discussion -Facilitator: Dr. Lovell Jones
12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch - Networking, Exhibits & Poster Presentations
FEARS - FEAR OF RECURRENCE, ADVANCED CANCER
13:45-14:30 - Keynote speaker - Ms. Ronnie Kaye (United States)
“Spinning Straw into Gold: Meeting the challenge of Breast Cancer”
14:45-15:45 - SESSION G - Concurrent Podium Presentations (Select 1 of 9)
15:45-16:45 - Break - Networking, Exhibits & Poster Presentations
18:00-22:00 - Reception & Banquet - Keynote Speaker: Ms. Sylvia Chrominska
(Executive VP, HR and Public, Corporate and Government Affairs, Bank of Nova Scotia)
Day 4
Sunday, June 8th
7:00-8:00 - Yoga Class (all skill levels)
8:30-9:00 - Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:15 - Closing Remarks - Ms. Barbara Shumeley
(President, World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation)
SHARE AND AWARE - ADVOCACY
9:15-10:00 - Keynote speaker - Ms. Ingrid Kössler (Sweden)
“EUROPA DONNA - The European Breast Cancer Coalition”
10:00-10:30 - Break - Networking
10:30-11:30 - International Support Links Project
Showcase: Teams briefly present challenges in their countries
Presentation of the ISL 2008 Project
11:30-13:00 - Lunch and Closing Ceremony
Celebration of Five World Conferences
Celebration of successes past and successes to come
