By Johnstone Shaw
Fight Bladder Cancer recently made a significant stride in its mission to raise awareness and support for bladder cancer by hosting its first-ever stand at the Royal College of GPs Conference. This event allowed us to engage with general practitioners, medical students, and healthcare professionals, sharing vital information and resources about bladder cancer.
Our Volunteers
Our team included two retired General Practitioner fellows of the Royal College of GPs (one a bladder cancer patient), along with three other dedicated Fight Bladder Cancer volunteers.
Engagement Tools
Our stand was equipped with an array of interactive and informative tools, making it a popular destination for delegates. Highlights included:
– Flexible Cystoscope with Portable Monitor: equipment showcased the first step towards diagnosing bladder cancer, drawing significant interest from the medical community.
– Dummy Adjustable Stoma Models: These models provided hands-on training opportunities, helping professionals understand the complexities faced by bladder cancer patients after surgery.
– Perspex Urostomy Bag Stands and Hollister Urostomy Bags: Offering a tangible insight into the daily realities for patients with Urostomies, along with a life-size poster of a patient with a bag
Printed Materials
Our stand featured a variety of printed materials, tailored to our audience. These included:
– Specialised Fight Bladder Cancer Leaflets: Comparing mortality rates and providing QR codes for easy access to our website and the link to request more information and health professional packs.
– A Paper from the British Journal of GPs: Highlighting missed diagnostic opportunities in primary care, which resonated particularly with younger delegates.
– Patient and Carer Booklets: Full colour booklets featuring medical information and patient stories
Use of Materials and Enthusiastic Volunteers
Our team distributed leaflets and engaged in meaningful conversations with delegates, while the volunteers, a mix of retired professionals, patients, and carers passionately shared their knowledge and personal experiences.
Thank you
AstraZeneca provided financial support for our presence at this event. Hollister and Karl Stortz provided information resources; however, Fight Bladder Cancer was responsible for all the material and messages presented at the stand.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fight Bladder Cancer’s participation in the Royal College of GPs Conference was a milestone for our charity and a testament to our commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by bladder cancer. We are immensely grateful to everyone involved in making this event a success and look forward to future opportunities to spread awareness and support.
