(Left to right) Steve Holmes, Founder of the Cholangio Foundation Australia and stage 4 survivor, Claire Holmes (Founder) with Karen Humphries, state 4 survivor and National Communications Coordinator - Volunteer Ben Kikuchi, stage 4 survivor & National Corporate Development volunteer.
image: supplied
Hornsby Shire Councillor Sallianne McClelland with Karen Humphries at the Hornsby
Fountain in February 2023.
Image: supplied
February 15th marks World Cholangiocarcinoma Day, drawing attention to this rare and aggressive upper gastrointestinal cancer, also known as bile duct cancer.
With a detection rate mostly in its late stages and a 3-8% five-year survival rate, it's also a cancer on the rise in our community. 'Light Australia Green' will illuminate over 70 buildings nationwide in green, symbolising awareness and our constructive and effective initiatives to improve survival outcomes.
Empowering Patients and Their Community -
The Patient-Led Foundation stands out with its simple approach: 'Empower the Patient – Increase Survival, Empower the Patients Community – Create more survivors’. This is underpinned by ensuring that ‘Today’s Science Benefits Today’s Patients’ toolkit and Survival.
Newly diagnosed patients face the critical challenge of not knowing what they do not know - yet absolutely must. When your life is on the line you must take responsibility and become scientifically and medically literate as fast as you can. This is a crucial crossroads in the patient's capacity to respond and survive a cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis and why the foundation exists.
‘The Optimal Patient Response Pathway’ directly addresses. Designed by experienced patients and caregivers, this unique smart interactive journal format with a supporting digital toolkit suite equips and empower patients to more effectively respond and survive a diagnosis.
My personal journey, starting in 2021 and leading to a relapse in January 2024, reflects the resilience and strength embodied in the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Australia impactful patient-led initiatives, which have been a powerful and constructive force in my fight.
Support and Empower Patients -
To support our constructive initiatives is to help a patient help themselves today and enhance their survival chances, please visit Cholangio-Challengers. www.cholangio-challengers.raisely.com/lightaustraliagreen
The Future of Cancer Success -
Empowered patients are better positioned to leverage the latest medical and scientific advancements, significantly enhancing their survival outcomes. This is an initiative that compliments and enhances on the successes of early detection initiatives.
