I was treated for cervical cancer while 8 weeks pregnant and am now a very happy and healthy mother. I share my story this week in the Post Newspapers, as a gentle reminder to all women to have regular health checkups.

I am a  member of GAIN (Gynaecological Awareness Information Network Inc), a community based organisation, comprised of dedicated women, many of whom have endured the trauma of being diagnosed and treated for gynaecological conditions. We have two events coming up in Perth in the next few months. The aim for both events is to attract attention to women’s gynaecological issues and to encourage communication flow between those affected by gynaecological illness, their families, their support network and their health care professionals.

• The first of these events is a cocktail evening scheduled for Thursday 10 August and is G.A.I.N’s major fundraiser event for the year. G.A.I.N is pleased to announce that the guest speaker will be 2006 Australian of the Year Professor Ian Frazer as he takes us “Beyond the Research” with his ground breaking vaccine that will revolutionise women's health across the globe. Ian has developed a vaccine to prevent HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) – the virus that can lead to cervical cancer.  It is the eighth most common cancer in Australian women, with more than 1,000 new cases of cervical cancer being diagnosed each year and over 300 women dying from this disease. The Cocktail evening will be held at the UWA Club, 35 Stirling Highway Crawley WA from 6 - 8.30pm, Thursday, 10 August.  Bookings are through BOCS Ticketing 9484 1133.
• G.A.I.N will then hold the fifth National Gynae Awareness Day on 10 September 2006. This year we will go one step further by bringing research, fact and real life case studies together to promote the awareness through our key message Beyond the Research.  It will be a stunning day full of information sessions, workshops, multicultural entertainment and displays. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sunday 10 September, 10 - 4pm.

Both events are designed to be informative and a lot of fun for everyone!

I really hope that you can join us!

Kind regards

Karen

Celebrating National Gynaecological Awareness Day 10 September