The Swallows Australian Edition Magazine

Chairman’s Statement
Head & Neck Cancer patients have unique
problems such as Dry Mouth, Swallowing,
Eating and many other issues, it is so
important worldwide we come together as ‘one
voice’ and share our experiences to help
others.
It is my Dream to have a worldwide patient
ambassador programme that allows patients
and carers to talk, support and signpost other
likeminded people to services, medicines and
treatments that are available.
Following on from our successful launch of the
Patients book here in the UK I am so pleased
that with the help of Marty and Julie we have
managed to produce the Australian edition.
We all hope you enjoy reading the many
stories in the book.
Talking to both Marty and Julie over the year
has been a great honour and we have shared
many an idea and with these two at the helm of
Head & Neck Patient Ambassador in Australia
H&N cancer will change for the better.
Chris Curtis
World H&N Cancer Ambassador/Chairman
24/7 Support line:
+44 7504 725 059
For more information call:
+44 7779 169 833
www.theswallows.org.uk
www.facebook.com/theswallowscancersupport
@swallowsgroup
“It was a life-changing experience for me
to connect via social media with Chris
Curtis from The Swallows in the UK. We
shared our experiences of head and neck
cancer and discovered a mutual passion
for improving the support for patients and
families affected by this tough illness. Chris
is a catalyst for action and collaboration
across the world. Soon he had connected
me to another survivor, Marty Doyle from
Head & Neck Cancer Support Australia in
Brisbane. All the way from the Blackpool,
Chris has encouraged, guided and
supported us to produce this Australian
version of a similar book in the UK. The
primary purpose of this book is to give
encouragement and hope to people with a
diagnosis of head and neck cancer and
their families and carers. It will also be
useful for professional development in
multidisciplinary teams. It contains articles
by doctors, nurses and allied health
professionals. We want to raise the profile
of head and neck cancers because we
need funding for research to improve our
treatment, survival and quality of life.
However, the most important part of this
book is the patient stories. Our voices are
rarely heard. We hope sensitive health
professionals will use these stories to
improve services and support. Thank you
so much to Chris Curtis and The Swallows
for this significant contribution to patients
and their families in Australia.
”
Julie McCrossin
Head and Neck cancer Survivor.