Page 5899 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 7 December 2011
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William and his team, including his staff and council at the Australian Lung Foundation for their commitment to this cause.
The aim of the vigil and walk here in Canberra was to raise awareness of the disease and to encourage awareness and early detection of lung cancer. Organisers are keen to see early screening processes such as those that are in place for breast, skin and prostate cancers so that a higher survival rate can be achieved. At present, most lung cancer patients are diagnosed too late as symptoms usually occur once the cancer has spread to a secondary location.
We must address the stigma that is involved with lung cancer. Shine a light on lung cancer was made possible through a partnership with the Lung Cancer Alliance, a US-based non-profit organisation dedicated solely to patients, support and advocacy for people living with lung cancer and those at risk of the disease. The Australian Lung Foundation was the exclusive host and Australia was the first country outside the US to host the shine a light on lung cancer campaign.
I would like to make special mention this evening of some of the people involved in the organisation of this particular event, including Victoria Taber, Judy Rafferty and Kim Phillpot. Victoria is a lung cancer survivor who was diagnosed by chance before going away on a holiday that involved getting a health screening prior to the trip. Judy is a lung cancer nurse care coordinator at the Canberra Hospital and plays a vital role in supporting patients suffering from the disease. Kim is also part of the Canberra Hospital Foundation.
I encourage all Canberrans to spare a thought for sufferers of this terrible cancer and consider playing a part in next year’s shine a light on lung cancer campaign. I also encourage all members to visit www.lungfoundation.com.au to find out more about lung disease, treatment and initiatives of the foundation.
Women’s sport
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (7.18): I would like to speak tonight about women’s sport in the ACT, particularly the members of the ACT roller derby team. Women’s sport in the national capital really is something we Canberrans have every right to be proud of. This city has a great track record, with our female sporting teams doing particularly well.
The Capitals are perhaps the best known of our teams; whilst they are not having the best of seasons so far this year, I was very pleased, on 23 November, to join the Capitals for their inaugural business breakfast with head coach Carrie Graf and Basketball ACT chief executive Tony Jackson. Whilst the Capitals are frustrated by their progress this season, the professionalism of the side and the optimism in coach Carrie Graf’s presentation that day augur well for both the rest of this season and future seasons. And Canberra United are having a great season.
One of the frustrations for me is that so much of the women’s sport in the ACT is played in the summer, which clashes with the triathlon season. It means that I do not get to as many of the matches as I would like.
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