firstline Autumn 2014 Positive insights into better healthcare PR Quarterly news from Palin Communications

Parents with disabled kids Garvan researcher Dr Alex Swarbrick) and Heather Watts (founder of the Border to get increased support Ovarian Cancer Awareness Group). The Stepping Stones Triple P Project Among the crowd were high profile media was launched in NSW in February. The guests including Chris Bath and Jim world-first project offers two years of free Wilson from Channel 7, Amber Sherlock parenting support to every parent or carer from Channel 9 and representatives from of a child with a disability in NSW. AAP newswire, Body+Soul, Australian Professor Stewart Einfeld, Chair of Mental Women’s Weekly, Prevention Magazine, Health at the University of Sydney, helped Women’s Health Magazine, Sunday Life, launch the project at the Helping Families Dr Goli Samimi addresses guests at Sunday Style, New Idea and the Daily Life. Change Conference in Sydney. The first the 2014 Ovarian Cancer Awareness The event triggered over 100 tweets phase was a state-wide survey of parents Day Leader’s Lunch. in support of the Garvan Research and healthcare professionals who care Foundation, new fundraising pledges for children with disabilities. Parents and and numerous opportunities for long lead Research Foundation’s annual Ovarian professionals can go to www.mysay.org.au features about ovarian cancer research. Cancer Awareness Day Leader’s Lunch. and share their experiences related to More than 150 people gathered at parenting or working with a child with a NSW Parliament House to hear from disability. The Shepherd Centre researchers, clinicians and survivors Rubi and her family helped Triple P and discussing the reality of ovarian cancer sends kindy kids off to the Palin Communications team to launch in Australia and the need for community big school the project. Rubi was born with Costello support to increase awareness and Syndrome, her family is a remarkable research support for this insidious Waving a child goodbye on their first day example of disease. They encouraged people to give of school is an exciting time for any parent. those set to generously to the Garvan Institute to help For the parents of the 2013 graduates benefit from sustain ongoing research. from The Shepherd Centre, it is a day they the new began preparing for a long time ago. A Garvan Research Foundation initiative, Stepping the lunch was hosted by the Hon. Jillian The “back to school” period is the Stones Skinner MP, Minister for Health and perfect opportunity to highlight the Triple P Medical Research, and Mrs Margaret accomplishments of graduates from The Project. Rose AM, business leader and ovarian Shepherd cancer survivor. Mrs Rose has helped Centre and to fund Dr Goli Samimi’s research, the hard which is one of the most important early work of the children, Rubi’s Mum Robin and Professor detection research projects that has the potential to impact early diagnosis of all their families Einfeld chatted with ABC News and their Breakfast and 2UE. cancers. 20 year’s since her diagnosis, Mrs Rose addressed guests to stress the speech importance of philanthropic support for therapists. Garvan Research Foundation the Garvan Research Foundation now puts ovarian cancer back and into the future. While guests enjoyed lunch, Mrs Rose on the agenda facilitated a panel discussion with Dr Goli Jim Hungerford, CEO of The Many of Sydney’s business and community Samimi (Group Leader of Garvan’s Ovarian Shepherd Centre speaking with Talitha leaders and members of the general Cancer Research Program), Dr Robyn Cummins from Channel 7 News. public concerned about the future of Sayer (Gynaecology Oncologist at the ovarian cancer research came together Royal Hospital for Women), Joan Swarbrick in February to support the Garvan (ovarian cancer patient and mother of The Shepherd Centre helps children with Pharmacists get proactive hearing impairments to attend mainstream primary schools every year. on bowel cancer The Palin team works with The Shepherd Pharmacists at the APP conference Centre to showcase the incredible on the Gold Coast have been told that achievements of deaf and hearing bowel cancer screening is an ongoing impaired kids. and long term opportunity for Australian Channel 10 Eye Witness News, Channel 7 pharmacists. Professor Peter Carroll News in Sydney and WIN News Canberra from the University of Sydney said that featured stories about Shepherd Centre pharmacists should see the opportunity graduates’ first days at school. Palin as an ongoing public health imperative, and pharmacy could do more than just Communications also helped to leverage L-R Dr Arshi, Dr Mansberg, Dr provide piecemeal support to sporadic the ‘back to school’ theme into suburban Fairweather and Dr Soheilifar at the campaigns. print and online stories for graduates Brisbane GPWLA meeting. throughout NSW and ACT. “Mammograms and pap smears are now with an estimated overweight or obese entrenched as tools in the early detection Palin consultant shortlisted rate of 75%. of cancer and we should be promoting These figures reiterate the importance bowel cancer screening in the same way. for CommsCon Emerging of the Doctor on your Side campaign Given the strong evidence around the PR Professional award and emphasise the importance of GPs effectiveness of faecal immunochemical talking about excess weight with their tests (FIT) in detecting and reducing Palin was proud to be included in the patients. To mark “Healthy Weight Week” the toll of bowel cancer, we should be shortlist for Emerging PR Professional at (17-23 February) the Doctor on your working to ensure that pharmacists are at this year’s CommsCon Awards represented Side campaign headed to Queensland the forefront of bowel cancer screening. by consultant Ishtar Schneider. to continue discussions about improving One Australian dies every two hours A hearty congratulations to all the patient weight management with GPs in from bowel cancer and pharmacists are agencies who made local areas. uniquely placed to help reduce this toll,” said Professor Carroll. it into this year’s Campaign ambassador Dr Ginni shortlist and well Mansberg met with local GPs at the Palin Communications has been helping done Ishtar! Strathpine GP Super Clinic to develop Clinical Genom- strategies on how to encourage GPs ics to launch its to initiate the weight discussion with new “ColoV- Ishtar was patients. It was also an opportunity for antage Home” thrilled to Dr Mansberg to meet with some of the brand of faecal represent Queensland members of the GP Weight immunochemi- Palin at the Loss Alliance. cal test kits CommsCon to Australian The Doctor on your Side PR activity awards in pharmacists. in Queensland featured on ABC 612 Sydney. Brisbane, 4BC, 4KQ, ABC Far North, ABC North Queensland (and 7 other regional QLD ABC stations) as well as Professor Carroll iNova launches Doctor on Yahoo Lifestyle/Women’s Health Magazine presented “Screening as a professional Your Side in Queensland online, The Retiree Magazine as well as health service” to delegates at APP on numerous healthcare professional media Sunday morning 16th March. An estimated 65% of the Queensland outlets. population is either overweight or obese[1]. [1] National Health Performance Authority. In Focus: It is one of the highest rates in Australia. Overweight and obese rates across Australia, 2011- The statistics are even higher in regional 12. October 2013. and lower socioeconomic areas of Queensland. Townsville-Mackay is highest

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