 |  | VCCC CHAIR'S MESSAGE International Women's Day - Choose to Challenge |
This edition of Alliance celebrates International Women’s Day. Women from across the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre alliance have contributed stories that champion the contributions that women make, discuss leadership and gender parity, and analyse issues such as unpaid care, that fall largely into the laps of women.
Chair of the VCCC alliance, Prof Linda Kristjanson AO, leads off this special edition with a reflection on the continuing need to challenge the status quo... | | |
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VCCC International Women's Day edition |  |
 | Choosing to challenge what it is to live with cancer I had just turned 29 and my diagnosis was terminal. Back then there was no cure for melanoma or even treatments to significantly prolong your life with quality. It was clear that I would be lucky to survive two years, let alone five. | | |
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 | Strategic planning in safe hands Last week the VCCC alliance announced the appointment of 137 people to guide the development and implementation of the VCCC's new Strategic Program Plan 2021-24. This includes 18 consumers joining other cancer experts to form nine specialised steering groups to enable the achievement of ambitious goals to improve outcomes for more Victorians with cancer. Fifty-seven per cent of the total members are women. | | |
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 | Choosing to challenge the infodemic For the better part of 2020 in Victoria, we were indoors, in lockdown and physically isolated yet ever connected through technology. On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. And as the virus spread, an equally insidious and virulent enemy was invading our global networks - the misinformation and disinformation infodemic was upon us. |
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 | It's time for a she-change in research Research is fundamentally important for our country, it’s an engine of our economy, the driver of innovation and the motivation for change. Ensuring that women play an active role is a no-brainer. |
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 | Choosing to challenge the value of caring In my work in palliative care, I often meet extraordinary women. Impressive, brave and determined women – almost always quietly going about their business of providing care, ensuring others are comfortable, even flourishing despite what might be very difficult circumstances. |
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 | Choosing to challenge cultural norms and unconscious bias We need to create a culture of inclusion that not only includes hiring more women but focuses on underrepresented and marginalised people such as LGBTIQ and non-binary people as many of these marginalised groups face the same challenges as outlined in gender discrimination. Diversity without inclusion is pointless and essentially results in exclusion. |
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 | Challenging boundaries in life and work I think that gender parity and opportunities for women are progressing steadily. The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is a good illustration of this. It was awarded to two incredible women who discovered the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors. It is an amazing story and opens up an exciting future for us all. |
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 | Choosing to challenge assumptions on leadership Many of us have heard about the importance of leadership. This may lead you to question - how can I become a leader and what does leadership mean to me? Maybe you've been told you need leadership skills to get ahead and be successful. We agree leadership is important and good leadership is even more critical. We believe that everyone is a leader; we'd like to challenge you to start thinking about your own leadership quest. |
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 | Choosing to challenge gender inequality Think about the things we take for granted today like penicillin, anesthetic or chemotherapy, these advances came about because an individual knew there was another way. Women in medicine is another great example. The Royal Melbourne Hospital is Victoria’s first public hospital, opening in 1848, and it wasn’t until 1896 that two women pushed through extreme sexism and bias to become the first women to be appointed as doctors at the hospital. |
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 | Choosing to challenge diversity in research The WHO State of the World’s Nursing 2020 report calls for the creation of at least 6,000,000 new nursing jobs worldwide by 2030, and massive acceleration of nursing education. Why? Quite simply, “to keep the world healthy”. |
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 | Choosing to challenge the clinical trials landscape The Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (PCCTU) is now one of the largest clinical trial units in Australia and, as of last week, had 210 drug intervention trials open for participation, and many more trials where accrual is complete but patients still receive care. |
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 | Program Manager, Clinical Trials Innovation We are offering a newly funded opportunity to join our cross-functional team as Program Manager, Clinical Trials Innovation. |
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Upcoming Events | |
15 MAR | Dr Jean Berthelet, How playing with LeGO can help understand the spread of breast cancer
Monday Lunch Live Book now › |
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17 MAR | VCCC Breast Cancer Education Series
De-escalation in the curative breast cancer setting - is this even possible? If so, when? Book now › |
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22 MAR | Professor Louise Purton, key roles of HOXA1 in HSCs and myelodysplastic syndromes Monday Lunch Live Book now › |
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24 MAR | VCCC Grand Round Breast Cancer with Dr Delphine Merino Metastatic clones: which is the fittest of them all? Book now › |
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29 MAR | Picchi Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research 2020 Award Winner Presentations Book now › |
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Education and Training | |
 | Head and Neck Cancer Symposium 2021 - Intimacy and sexual health Tuesday 30 March 4.30pm - 6.00pm The increasing incidence of human papillomavirus-associated (HPV) oropharyngeal cancers has seen some patients report on the challenges in the resumption of sexual activity and intimacy following treatment, with feelings of guilt, resentment or blame common among patients and within their intimate relationships. |
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For your diary | |
Global access to medical oxygen President Bill Clinton to host discussion with Anthony Fauci, MD, Dr John Nkengasong, and Ms Joy Phumaphi on Need to Create Equitable Global Access to Medical Oxygen
On March 11, 2021, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) will hold a virtual event moderated by President Bill Clinton, founder of the Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, to discuss the urgent need to expand global access to medical oxygen.
Date: Thursday 11 March
Time: 11.00am EST
Where: markham.live/oxygen [Site will be live day of event]
Event will be repeated on Friday 12 March 10.00 am AEDT / 18.00 pm EST at
facebook.com/MurdochChildrensResearchInstitute/ |
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COVID-19 vaccines - your questions answered Hosted by Michael Rowland, this Q&A event will present a panel of experts who will answer the burning questions around the COVID-19 vaccines:
Professor Sharon Lewin AO, Director, Doherty Institute
Associate Professor Margie Danchin, Consultant Paediatrician, Royal Children’s Hospital and Clinician Scientist at the University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Professor Terry Nolan AO, Head of Vaccine and Immunisation Research Group, Doherty Institute
Dr Janine Trevillyan, Lead, COVID-19 Vaccination Program, Austin Hub; Head, Clinical Virology and HIV Services, Austin Health; and Infectious Diseases Physician
Date: Tuesday 16 March
Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Where: Attend in person or stream online Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre |
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February Snapshot | |
 | 6 Education and training events |
|  | 1278 Education and training event attendees |
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| KEY | | Leadership and collaboration | | Clinical trials development | | Consumers |
| | Education and training | | Research development |
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