Dying Matters, are we ready?

by Hilary Maxwell, Chair
•
19 May, 2019

The focus of this year's Dying Matters Week, are we ready? should make us all stand up and take note. Gynaecological cancers can be challenging to treat with ovarian cancer often being diagnosed late frequently having metastasised (spread) at diagnosis. This means that disease may be contained for a period of time, but this would rarely be curable. So why are we so afraid to talk about death and plan for this? For health professionals it can feel hard that you may not be able to cure your patient, and we know advances in medicine mean that prognoses have all too often improved.

Fi Munro writes frankly in her book, How Long have I got?. Diagnosed at a young age with incurable ovarian cancer, the subject of death has played an important part in her approach and perspective of life in the time she has left.

We surely would all want our families and friends to know our wishes and preferences. Women express this when they bring new life into the world with a birth plan. Death we know cannot bring that same joy but sorrow and loss, yet but knowing you are ready for your death, having discussed your preferences and wishes with your loved ones may often give you peace and provide assurances for your families and friends that they have done the very best by you. So let's be ready.

“You see living in fear of your death doesn’t change anything. However living like you are dying can change your whole world …” Munro (2019) p.291

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Meet Jessica

by Hilary Maxwell • 2 May 2022

We are delighted to welcome Jessica as a new Trustee.

In the process of becoming a lawyer, Jessica has played a pivotal role in assembling and guiding several businesses on a multitude of levels that assist in promoting ethical, social and industry standards. Alongside providing hands-on support to businesses, Jessica is a founder of charity Bona Fide, where she established and drove forward the ‘Beyond Bluewashing’ initiative, to bring public attention to the unethical corporate world and its effects on society. In addition, she has published many academic journals, articles and law reviews in the area of business law, as well as encouraging corporate philanthropic encouragement. Jessica is a keen advocator for causes close to her heart, one of which is related to GO Girls, as she is passionate about propelling forward awareness on these overshadowed cancers that impact many globally.