“A Darker Shade of Pink” – Advocacy through Art

Strule Arts Centre, Omagh is pleased to be hosting a panel discussion on Thursday 23 February 2023 at 11am in the Lecture Theatre in Strule Arts Centre.  This outreach event of the ‘Seen to be Heard’ touring exhibition by Jennifer Willis aims to raise awareness of and improve services for those living with Secondary/Metastatic Breast Cancer.

This panel discussion is open to anyone to attend, however, it would be of particular interest to women living with a Secondary Breast Cancer diagnosis, their friends and families, healthcare professionals, cancer support organisations, elected representatives and others able to influence health policy.

The focus of the discussion is why women living with Secondary Breast Cancer need specialist care and what can be done locally to improve support.  Unfortunately, there is currently only one specialist Secondary Breast Cancer nurse in the whole of Northern Ireland.

The ‘Seen to be Heard’ exhibition by Jennifer Willis, recently presented in the Gallery at Strule Arts Centre, aimed to raise awareness as to how specialist nursing care would improve things for those living with this devastating disease.  It also explored why women with Secondary Breast Cancer do not feel that they can access the same level of care as those living with Primary Breast Cancer.

Women affected who travel from the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area currently face additional issues including having further to travel, overnight stays in Belfast when receiving treatment and the difficulties of hospital closures.

The panel, facilitated by Deirdre Robb, Belfast Exposed, will consist of award winning photographer and creator of the ‘Seen to be Heard’ exhibition, Jennifer Willis; and Dr Helen McGarvey, (RGN, PhD, PGCTHE, PGCE), who is a retired Senior Lecturer from the School of Nursing at Ulster University.  In March 2021 Helen was diagnosed with Secondary Breast Cancer again and she now spends part of each week working to try to improve care for those with Secondary Breast Cancer. She is also an avid crafter, firmly believing that working with her hands has therapeutic value in enhancing her coping skills during her cancer journey.

Also on the panel will be Genevieve Irwin, founder member of Fermanagh cancer health and support group S.W.E.L.L.(Supported, We Live Life).

For more information and to book, visit: https://struleartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/