Gynaecological Awareness Day quilts from WA Quilters
King Edward Memorial Hospital International Gynaecological Awareness Day
International Gynaecological Awareness Day 2017 event at King Edward Memorial Hospital:
A wonderful display at King Edward Memorial Hospital for women in Western Australia where I was invited to be one of the judges. Just imagine how it would feel for the women undergoing GYN health surgery to see the fun displays to help them heal better.
Great to see GAIN Inc. and Perth Sisterhood Support group collaborating with a display in foyer of the Hospital.
I had the privilege of donating quilts and wall hangings kindly created by WA Quilters Assoc.
I also, want to highly commend the artist from the Genetics department who created this magnificent poster.
Sisters on Steel Motor Cycle Women’s Group International Gynae Awareness Day event
It would be great if you could join in the fun and meet up after the rally at Ravenswood Hotel Saturday 9 September to help support the Gynaecological Awareness Day.
Regional Voices Gynaecological Awareness interview
Great to be able to share my message to the Rural Community on Regional Voices radio: https://regionalvoices.podbean.com/e/survivor-of-gynecological-cancer/
I come from a stock of tough good women
After meeting with my (90 year old) Aunty Jean Tillett yesterday I only now discovered that Jean (bottom left of picture)/my other Aunty Iris Hinchcliffe (top right hand corner) both played football in Kalgoorlie 1944. I had absolutely nooo idea that these refined women I knew all my life would even play football. Not once was it mentioned. It has taken me aback to take a closer look at their lives and how they have impacted in my own life and why I keep on keeping in with my Gynaecological Health campaign.
Sadly Mum is slowly fading away with dementia and Jean still has a sharp mind however I feel Jean is missing the life they used to have. Mum was a great pianist and Jean and their other sister Billy were singers and would always be entertaining at concerts with the war songs and song learnt from their father who was a violinist. So music was always part of their lives. Jean lives on her on and soo misses the life she once had. Determined to stay in her house by herself she is lonely, going blind and deaf. One wonders how one would cope with these things at that age. I rang to try to get some help for anyone to go and even sing a song and a cup of tea. I feel it would be great to hear a 90 yo woman speak of her time back then playing football given that women’s football is now getting some wonderful attention.
Mum raised us 5 girls on her own after Dad came back from the war with mental issues. When I look back I wonder how on earth Mum survived.
Now I begin to understand where my determination, persistence, perseverance and spirit has come from.
She will grow up in a Viva La Vulva generation
I just had to share this comment received recently with pride:
“I don’t have any children of my own but I have a niece who is almost two and I want to support her development as she grows to understand her body. At the moment we use the word ‘fla fla’ because it’s easier for her to pronounce, but as her speech develops more, fla fla will turn into vulva. She will grow up in a viva la vulva generation. I could honestly never express my gratitude enough to Kath. Because of her, this little girl will be growing up gynae-aware.”
A voice for women with Gynaecological health issues
As a Gynaecological cancer survivor it soon opened up my mind to the millions of women with Gynaecological, sexual and related mental health issues in the world. The suffering in silence is huge. One needs to question why this is so in this day and age. I placed an advertisement in a woman’s magazine years ago and was amazed at how women just “put up” with issues below the belt. Mostly because they were either afraid or embarrassed. Through my initiative of the International Gynaecological Awareness Day 10 September campaign. I aim to create a voice for these women and to forewarn unsuspecting women of risks and symptoms. I don’t promote this as a health professional however whilst I see very little gynaecological health education in the global community I will never sit quietly and suffer in silence like I have seen many women do. I appeal to you to support the campaign and celebrate the day in which ever way you can. Even if it is at your breakfast table, think of the women who have gone before us and the women who still endure GYN health issues without a voice. #undiesforbetterunderstanding and quilting campaign.
