Message from CCAN New Brunswick
Welcome to CCAN New Brunswick.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society 2009 statistics for New Brunswick, an estimated 4,500 New Brunswick residents (2,400 men and 2,100 women) will be diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 2,000 New Brunswick residents (1,100 men and 900 women) will die.
These statistics represent more than simply numbers…they represent people of all ages and backgrounds battling cancer, a disease that knows no boundaries.
What do these statistics really mean to New Brunswickers who call urban cities such as Fredericton or Saint John home? What do they mean to our First Nations population or to residents who live in our smaller, less populated communities? As a long-time resident of this beautiful and captivating Maritime province, cancer statistics mean that those amongst us who are navigating (or faced with having to navigate) our provincial cancer system – as well as our families and caregivers – will experience the impact of a diagnosis across the cancer care continuum, including issues relevant to drug coverage and/or accessibility.
In the province of New Brunswick, when faced with a diagnosis of cancer, we likely turn to dedicated cancer patient advocacy groups for support. In many cases, we also look to our provincial health care leaders (including the New Brunswick Cancer Network, a division of the Department of Health mandated to reduce the burden of cancer for all New Brunswickers) for direction and strong leadership on how best to navigate a system that must meet our needs as patients, and our expectations as Canadians.
Ultimately, WE AS PATIENTS have the power to change the cancer landscape for ourselves, and for future generations. However, in order to do this, cancer patients need to speak out for improved patient care so that we will have a sustainable system in place that not only meets our immediate needs but provides us with the best possible treatment and long term care within our provincial borders.
New Brunswick cancer patients have an incredible opportunity to join a progressive, grassroots organization committed to ensuring the needs of patients within our province are clearly articulated. I know this because, as a founding member of the Canadian Cancer Action Network, I have been a core part of this organization since the early days. As cancer control activities unfold and as pan-Canadian efforts to advance the national cancer control strategy continue to evolve, our health concerns and the complex issues we face as patients are important. CCAN understands this working diligently to advance patient interests in the often complex cancer control community.
A Call to New Brunswickers: If you are interested in lending your voice to our work in the province of New Brunswick, or on a broader national scale, I encourage you to join our network of patient voice representatives and help advance the Canadian Cancer Action Network’s goal of ensuring every patient voice has an opportunity to be heard!
Liz Whamond, Chair, Canadian Cancer Action Network
Past-Chair, Patient Voice Committee
