I have been in awe of the work of Dr Catherine Hamlin AC, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, for some time and can't believe it's taken me this long to post about it. Dr Hamlin has a dream to eradicate obstetric fistula for Ethiopian women. At the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital women are treated for this which not only puts their health at risk, but they are ostracised by their family and community. Dr Hamlin has created a safe place where women can go for treatment and are valued for the beautiful people that they are. But it doesn't stop there. Dr Hamlin has also set up a college that trains midwives so that there is greater opportunity to avoid obstetric fistula.

This is a wonderful organisation and they have current campaign to fundraise 600 for 600: 600 fistula operations at $600.

So, hit up 60 of your friends for $10 each and donate here.

Generally I choose not to focus on the more high profile causes, but this one caught my attention this week. Well, it was hard to miss popping up a number of times in my Facebook newsfeed.

I dare say that most of us will, unfortunately, somehow be affected by cancer during our lifetime.  This week we saw the launch of a photographic exhibition in Chrissie Amphlett’s honour.  These photographs were taken by photographer Tony Mott during Chrissie’s time with the Divinyls. Tony recently gave all the photos he had to Chrissie’s husband, Charley Drayton, who with Tony's knowledge decided to use them in an exhibition to raise awareness about self examination for breast cancer run by the NSW Cancer Council’s I touch myself campaign.

This campaign particularly focuses on breast cancer and it is probably also worth noting that the National Breast Cancer Foundation also undertakes research specifically for this.  But, what I particularly like about the Cancer Council NSW's campaign is the way that Chrissie and her husband, with Tony Mott’s cooperation, creatively used what essentially cost them nothing in such a creative and generous way. It highlights for me how we can use things already at our fingertips which we might not have even considered.

Photographs and artwork is an excellent example, especially old photos, but they don’t have to be old. But using a theme would work really well, particularly if there is some way it can relate directly to your cause.  But again, the pictures don’t have to. They can be gathered from a single collection – great if you have access to a photographer or artist - or use the opportunity to invite submissions from people you know (or people you don’t know!). One of the junior-senior schools in my area has an annual art show where the students produce paintings and a number of more well known local artists and celebrities are invited to contribute a painting also.  None of the artworks have names on them and over the course of several hours guests bid for artwork they like (or suspect is done by a particular person). This exhibition has become an anticipated community event and I think it might be so popular now that they have limited entry to ticket purchases.

You never know, your small creative idea might just become something for your organisation you never imagined.

I touch myself project – exhibition
17th April – 10th May 2014
Blender Gallery; 16 Elizabeth St, Paddington, NSW

Cancer Council Australia

I have a little friend who has Cystic Fibrosis. You wouldn't know it to look at him, but, every day he is at extreme risk of infection.  Why's this bad? Having Cystic Fibrosis, which is inherited genetically, means that this gorgeous little boy is at extremely high risk of potentially life threatening respiratory and digestive problems. The excessive mucus of CF can trap bacteria in the lungs and obstruct the digestive function of the pancreas. He has daily physiotherapy and medications, and at such a young age (<18 months old) has been admitted to hospital twice and had two general anaesthetics and spent two weeks in hospital on an IV drip.

One in 2500 babies is born with CF and about one in 25 people carries the gene. While the gene responsible for causing Cystic Fibrosis has been identified no cure has been found and researchers are working hard towards finding a way to fix the faulty gene or replace it.

So, what can you do?  Firstly, donate or fundraise to support the work of those who are trying to cure this.  


Or be creative:

My little friend's mother and her friends are doing something a little fun.  They're having an afternoon of Fashion and Fundraising.  They've invited friends and family to join them for a few hours one weekend and everyone's encouraged to bring something fashiony (think clothes, bags, accessories) in good condition to give away.  Then, while the guests enjoy a little bit of nibbly hospitality the organisers will sort the donation items ready for guest to purchase back. It's a great way to clear out excess clothes and help a very worthy cause.

My office decided to direct funds from this month's casual days to theMotor Neurone Disease Association.  MND is a degenerative desease of the nerve cells which control the muscles we use to function - breath, speak, move.  MND progresses quickly and is a death sentence, with survival after diagnosis averaging less than 3 years.  The MNDASA has various ways that it provides support to sufferers and carers.  You may also consider donation to research in this are via the MND Research Institute of Australia.