Whilst most of the time I am happy to indulge myself on this blog – I was recently given the opportunity to spread the word about something good.
This is Jacqui. At 26 years old she has had cancer twice. In my naivety I thought she would be looked after by The System. Wrong. There is very little support for people with cancer aged 16-30. Those over 16 are currently treated in wards established with much older people in mind. This impacts their treatment and survival. The chance of surviving some cancers is halved when you hit 16. I didn't know that.
We met Jacqui last week for a hot chocolate. We hung out and she told us about some volunteer work she is doing with You Can. They're raising money for this overlooked age bracket for setting up specialised accommodation around Australia.
They need your old mobile phones, which get recycled to raise funds. Easy. So if you're guilty of hoarding a bunch of green screened Nokia's in your top drawer dig them out and send them over or drop them in a You Can bin.
This is so true and really important! I used to be a paediatric oncology nurse and it was really frustrating for that adolescent/early adult age group, as (at my hospital) they would be sharing a ward with small children which isn't appropriate either. In the UK they have a cancer centre for that age group and it seems to work really well. I will be digging out my old phones for this cause!! Excellent post, it is fantastic to get awareness out about this problem :)
ReplyDeletewow, jacqui is really beautiful. i wasn't aware of this either. until now. it's such a shame i got rid of my old phones before i came here. i will check out the link as there must be other ways to help xxx
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fantastic project, and Jacqui is an inspiration. Beautiful photographs as always Anna xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project - thanks for spreading the word. And Jacqui is gorgeous. She looks a bit like Reese Witherspoon, no?
ReplyDeleteGood on you Anna. And I agree, J is beautiful. I must add that when I saw the top photo I wondered what on earth the black thing was coming out of your nose though Anna! Oh dear, my funny eyes! haha
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so the health care system there isn't perfect huh? Bummer. Whatever she does tell her NOT to move to America. it's way worse her.
ReplyDeleteeither way, I hope she recovers in full health.
thanks for sharing - a beautiful story and one that we can all help with just a simple gesture.
ReplyDeletethat's such a good initiative, i'm about to throw out some phones, i was going to send them to a place that pays you for them but this is much better
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great project! She looks amazing!!
ReplyDeletea beautiful reminder, in a very beautiful girl!
ReplyDeletethanks
What a great project ... Will Do !!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely will help - what a gorgeous girl!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - thanks for letting us know X
ReplyDeleteIt's part of life... scarry, but life
ReplyDeleteTip top post. Her radiant look of pure health reminds me of our vulnerable we all are, organic carrots and all.
ReplyDeleteLittle Tuesday and I have rounded up all the mobiles at home, from our neighbours and even bought a few during a quick oppy jaunt this afternoon. We hope they help.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that unless you fall into the (vulnerable) very young or very aged groups health care options can be very limited in many many many areas. Very sad.
jacqui. beautiful jacqui. look at your smile. your honest open face. you are inspiring, you are beautiful. incredibly mindblowingly beautiful. x x
ReplyDeletemy sister is a nurse and tells me this fact quite often. She works with the elderly in palliative care and there are always young women and men in there. It is really sad, and reality on such a poor system.
ReplyDeleteJacqui is gorgeous! absolutely beautiful.
xx
Thank you for spreading the word.
ReplyDeleteI left a link on this entry on our blog: http://entsorgungskalender.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/23-10-2010/
This is so touching! I got chills when I read that she has had cancer twice. What a fighter! I believe I have a few extra phones hiding in a drawer - fingers crossed it's not much to send them to Australia!
ReplyDeleteHey Anna,
ReplyDeleteJacqui here...just wanted to say thanks for the blog you put up, I hear it's been achieving some great things for "you can". Was lovely to meet you and your family and I wish you all the best :-)
P.S. Some great photography, well done. Really like your blog xx
P.S. once more... thanks to all those people who are making such a great difference and donating phones or funds for our YOU CAN cause :-) It's going to be so great to see the new specialist centres finally go up and for our age group to get the best care we possibly can. Lets change the system, and make a brighter future for all those still struggling with the Cancer journey xx
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