Presenting the Inaugural National Women's Survivors Conference

By Marie Cauley

Founder and Cancer Survivor Karen Shayne Shares Her Hope

Are you a cancer survivor, or do you have a friend or family member who is? If so, you know that it?s not an easy road by any means. Besides fighting to beat the illness and working toward remission, there are other challenges you may not consider. Things like legal and health insurance issues, the financial strain, and other health complications can sneak up on you and wear you down. You also may begin to rethink your life?s purpose as you ask, ?Where do I go from here??

Karen Shayne knows about these issues and concerns firsthand. She was diagnosed with ovarian and uterine cancer 25 years ago, at the tender age of 20. Her own battle empowers her to help other survivors deal with their battles with cancer and let them know they are not alone.

Karen spoke with me from Nashville to share some exciting details of the first National Women?s Survivors Conference, what led her to become a change agent for female cancer survivors, and some words of wisdom for those who are dealing with cancer and its aftermath.

HOPE: How did going through cancer and becoming a survivor inspire you to plan the conference and start the Women?s Survivors Alliance?

Karen Shayne: Well, when I first started dealing with cancer at such a young age, I became very bitter about everything. I was climbing the ladder in my career while dealing with my illness and all of the issues that came with it. Then my best friend got me involved in Relay for Life, which I credit with turning my attitude around. I started speaking at their events and working with their kids? program, and I felt more empowered over time. In Nashville in 2005, I was working toward women?s empowerment and life coaching, especially for cancer survivors. But I still felt there was something missing. Four years ago, it suddenly came to me and I wrote the words ?Women?s Survivors? Conference? on my mirrors in red lipstick ? to motivate me to work toward the goal.

HOPE: Were you already in the health care industry before your diagnosis?

KS: Yes. I graduated college early and became a Licensed Health Care Administrator. I worked in the long-term care industry, which already gave me a feel for what people with ongoing illnesses were going through and had to deal with.

HOPE: What kinds of issues do survivors face when their treatments are completed?

KS: The number one thing in their minds is the fear of reoccurrence; even though they are relieved to be in remission, there?s always that thought that comes up. There are also the financial challenges with paying for whatever insurance does not cover and many times, fighting with insurance companies over something that was supposed to be covered and suddenly is not. One topic that so many people are afraid to discuss is sexuality. Women often start feeling like they are no longer a ?whole woman? and worry about what their partners think. We help women and their co-survivors deal with all of these issues. Some survivors have become entrepreneurs, turning the cancer experience into a positive, with products and services to help others going through the same thing. We also help young survivors, who have an especially difficult time dealing with cancer.

HOPE: How long has the Women?s Survivors Alliance been in existence?

KS: Talking about creating this conference the past few years has now morphed into the WSA. We want churches and other groups to spread the message for survivors, taking the education they receive from the conference to empower women in their regions and cities.

HOPE: What changes have you seen come about so far since the beginning of the WSA?

KS: Survivors are embracing their survivorship instead of hiding. More and more, I?ve noticed women developing a voice, demanding to be heard. This has caused cancer care plans to be mandated and many questions about health care reform to be asked. Cancer centers and hospitals, which were already well-educated about the disease itself, are becoming attuned to the needs of a person?s mental and emotional issues. All of this is a launching pad to take it to the next level with even more resources for cancer survivors.

HOPE: What do you hope to accomplish with your first conference?

KS: Considering it?s been four years in the making, there is a lot we want to accomplish. This has never been just about me ? it?s about ALL survivors. The conference is set for August 22 ? 24 in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. We?ve had social media conversations with survivors about what they would like to see and do. So this event is made for survivors, by survivors. There will be plenty of education and opportunities, along with fun and entertainment. Everything will be in a laid back atmosphere, complete with breakout sessions where women can ask questions of the speakers. We are adding more speakers as we go. But our Honorary Chairperson is Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller, who is a cancer survivor herself. She will host sessions on health, fitness, and nutrition. Scott Hamilton will also be speaking, giving the perspective of a male cancer survivor. Tabitha Coffey will give makeovers to any survivors who wish to have one. On top of that, there will be a concert and entertainment provided by celebrities from the Nashville community. This will definitely not be boring or formal! In addition to women from the United States, we have survivors coming in from Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The conference is open to all female cancer survivors.

HOPE: Since it?s a few months before the conference takes place, what is one important thing you would like cancer patients and survivors to know right now?

KS: I would like them to know that they can have peace of mind, no matter what issues or complications they may be going through. There truly is a silver lining in the experience, and there is a solution. We will all work together to find the answer.

If you are interested in more information about the Women?s Survivors Alliance or registering for the conference, please go to the NWSC website to learn more and get updates on speakers and other convention happenings. Join with other survivors to use your voice!

Photo Credit

Marie Cauley is a freelance writer who also pens inspirational romance with hopes of soon being published. Her interests include health, music, dance, spinning, and Pilates.? You can also check out her blog http://www.mtclosetowin.blogspot.com where she writes about faith, fitness?and the connection between them.

Source: http://hopeforwomenmag.com/featured/presenting-the-inaugural-national-womens-survivors-conference

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