Health Advocates Launch A Global Call To Action: Are YOU Ready?
Cancer is getting more advocates – and this time, they are going to work together. The media launch of A Global Call to Action: Preventing Cancer, Saving Lives held last January 11, 2012 summoned the efforts of both private and public sectors to join forces and battle cancer together.
A Global Call To Action (Media Launch)
The media launch was a prelude to the major event, to be held at the Diamond Hotel, Manila on February 3, 2012. Aptly named A Global Call to Action, the event shall showcase keynote speakers who shall tackle important issues, such as the lack of a uniform approach to cancer management in the country.
A Global Call to Action shall also be the platform for dialogue between the private and public sectors. Different private companies shall pool their resources with government organizations in terms of funding cancer research and treatment.
With the Director of Philippine General Hospital
(and also the overall Chair of Global Call to Action), Dr. Jose Gonzales
When I attended the media launch, I had the pleasure of watching Chef Nicolai Stoyanov, the Executive Chef of Diamond Hotel, explain how one of the menu picks (Beef Carpaccio) was cooked. Dinner was filling and healthy, something that a health-conscious person should have instead of instant or fast food, yes?
Much of what I ate was a series of tongue twisters. I’m no good at pronouncing them, but I’m very good at eating them!
Chocolate mozart cake
Cinnamon-hazelnut pastry, sauteed granny smith apples
Vanilla ice cream
Pan-roasted forest mushroom stuffed chicken supreme
Vegetable medley in sweet butter
Green peas and pappardele pasta
Marsala wine jus
Salmon bisque
Lemon cream, roasted shiitake mushrooms
Herb-crusted beef carpaccio
Cloves marinated beech mushrooms, rockets, tarragon aioli
I also chatted with fellow doctor Jane Adevoso, who happened to be a cancer warrior. She gave an inspiring talk on how cancer changed her life. When she was still a medical student, she found out she got pregnant. She was single then, so it was already a big enough problem. But there were more problems to come.
“During my prenatal checkup, I found out that I had cervical cancer,” Dr. Adevoso recalled. She knew that if she had surgery then, she would lose her child. She chose to carry her pregnancy to term. She did get surgery after and she was free of cancer, only to be diagnosed with breast cancer three years after.
Dr. Jane Adevoso, kissing her son Gabriel after her talk
Dr. Adevoso said that cancer did not discriminate and that it would welcome anyone with open arms. It was a message that I’m sure everybody would remember. It was a message that prompted everyone to think of cancer as something that can happen to anyone.
With Dr. Cecilia Ladines-Llave, the Chair of A Global Call to Action
With Representative Ma. Isabelle Climaco Salazar of the First District of Zamboanga.
(She also happens to be the Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and Women’s Block.)
Everyone who attended the event was invited to sign resolutions that proposed to advocate cancer. There was an advocacy wall that everyone was free to sign as well.
After a pledge of commitment was made, guests were then asked to pin a blue ribbon on their neighbors.
A Global Call to Action: Preventing Cancer, Saving Lives will be held on February 3, 2012 at the Diamond Hotel (Roxas Boulevard, Manila). Please call (02)5674274 or (02)3537223, and text (0932)1754436 or (0912)7649573 for inquiries and reservations. You may also send your queries to movingasone@yahoo.com.ph. Visit this website for more details on A Global Call to Action.
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