Scott Stephens makes his own difference
Young cancer survivor inspires others with his story
Scott Stephens will tell his inspiring story of cancer survival at The Gawler Foundation’s Annual Conference Profound Healing – Sustainable Wellbeing, to be held on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November 2011 at Melbourne’s Hilton on the Park.
Scott, who lives in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, is in his early 30s and was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23. ‘My first thought was I am too young to die,’ says Scott, ‘my second thought was what do I do now?’
‘My whole life suddenly erupted – I was lost and found myself questioning everything I did, looking for reasons and desperate for answers,’ he says. ‘When I found myself at the door of The Gawler Foundation’s healing retreat, I finally started to make sense of my experience and more importantly how I was going to get through it.’
Scott adopted an integrated approach to his treatment program which combined mainstream and complementary therapies. For a 23 year old man used to going out to the pub with mates, many of the lifestyle changes he chose to make were a surprise – even to him. ‘But it worked,’ he says, ‘ I changed my diet to a natural, plant-based diet and felt better for it; I started meditating daily and went to support groups. Day-by-day, moment-by-moment, I started to heal. There were ups and downs but despite my cancer, I still had hope – that gave me the strength to carry on. Even now I am in remission, I see things like nutrition and meditation as an integral part of my health and wellbeing. I always will.’
‘The understanding that lifestyle can be a major contributor to chronic illness is now broadly accepted amongst health professionals. For decades, The Gawler Foundation has advocated that lifestyle is also the best treatment option and beyond that, a sound preventative strategy as well,’ says Karin Knoester, The Gawler Foundation CEO. ‘Scott is a living example of how people can turn their life around and reclaim optimal health. His survivorship from multiple cancers has been well fought for, and well won. His presentation will be very popular.’
Also at the Conference, ABC Medical Reporter Sophie Scott will moderate an intriguing panel discussion exploring mainstream and integrative healthcare management approaches to illness versus wellness at this year’s Profound Healing – Sustainable Wellbeing Conference. Joining Sophie Scott on the panel is AIMA founder Dr Vicki Kotsirilos, Director of the National Institute of Integrative Medicine Professor Avni Sali, GP and Monash University senior lecturer Dr Craig Hassed, Professor of Medicine, Melbourne University and MS survivor Prof George Jelinek and Therapeutic Director of The Gawler Foundation Mr Siegfried Gutbrod.
Run annually over two days, The Profound Healing – Sustainable Wellbeing Conference brings together 16 recognised world leaders in the field of Mind-body Medicine to share their research and practice through a series of keynote addresses and interactive workshops.
This exciting and enlightening program is ideal for anyone interested in learning about prevention and wellbeing to enhance their own health and for people, their families and carers affected by cancer, multiple sclerosis or other chronic illness.
- For more information and to download the conference program and registration forms, visit www.gawler.org/speakers or call 03 5967 1730. For Conference information contact Bronwyn Gillespie, Conference Manager, on 03 9819 1379. Interviews and images are available on request.
- For Media information please contact Lindy Schneider, Media and Communications Manager, The Gawler Foundation Media Department on 03 5967 1730. Website www.gawler.org
Biography Keynote speaker:
Scott Stephens
At age 23, Scott was diagnosed with melanoma after a routine removal of a mole. Six months later, he found enlarged lymph nodes in his groin and later routine scans showed a cancerous mass in his chest that spread to his pelvis and bowel. Ten years on, he is celebrating a remission that doctors still can’t comprehend. He is working part-time, has two beautiful children and loves life.
Biographies of Panel Discussion participants:
Sophie Scott
As ABC’s medical reporter Sophie’s stories appear on Lateline, Stateline, the ABC’s 7.00pm news and The 7.30 Report. She has received many awards including the Australian Museum’s Eureka Award for medical reporting, Research Australia’s Thank You day Award for raising awareness of medical research, and several reporting awards from the Cancer Council. Sophie is the author of Live a Longer Life and Roadtesting Happiness.
Professor Avni Sali MBSS PhD FRACS FACS FACNEM
Director of the National Institute of Integrative Medicine, former Head of Graduate School of Integrative Medicine Swinburne University and University of Melbourne; Department of Surgery Heidelberg Hospital; President International Council of Integrative Medicine; International Advisory Board or American Academy Anti-Ageing Medicine; Board Member The Gawler Foundation. His areas of expertise include the cause of disease, cancer and difficult clinical problems.
Dr Craig Hassed MBBS FRACGP:
A GP and Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Dept of General Practice, Craig’s teaching, research and clinical interests involve mindfulness-based stress management, mind-body medicine, meditation, holistic healthcare, Integrative Medicine and medical ethics. He is a regular media commentator on these issue and author of New Frontiers in Medicine, Know Thyself and The Essence of Health. Craig recently released a new book General Practice: The Integrative Approach co-authored with Prof Kerryn Phelps.
Siegfried Gutbrod MCounsHS BBA
Therapeutic Director of The Gawler Foundation, Siegfried holds a Masters degree in Counselling and Human Services and is also a Meditation Instructor. His particular interests are in empowering people to take charge of their own healing journey, the healing potential of laughter and providing emotional and spiritual support for end-of-life situations.
Dr Vicki Kotsirilos MBBS FACNEM
A General Practitioner who combines the best of orthodox and evidence-based complementary medicine, such as acupuncture, hypnosis and nutritional medicine. Vicki is the founder of Australasian Integrative Medicine Association and is recognised as an authority in Australia on alternative health care matters. She chairs the RACGP-AIMA joint working party and has served on a number of Federal Government Committees. Vicki is co-author of A Guide to Evidence-based Integrative and Complementary Medicine (Publisher Elsevier).
Professor George Jelinek MBBS MD DipDHM FACEM
Professorial Fellow, Dept of Medicine, University of Melbourne (St Vincents Hospital), Former President of Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine, Emeritus Editor of the journal Emergency Medicine Australasia, author of several textbooks in Emergency Medicine. An MS survivor and author of Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis, he offers a unique perspective based upon scientific research, clinical experience and insight.
Written comments from delegate feedback forms last year
What a wonderful event. I found the speakers inspirational and certainly came away greatly stimulated and determined
As usual the conference has been a bombshell of inspiration and information
Very informative, an eye opener on a new era of medical practices
The professionalism and incredible quality of the speakers – amazing breadth of knowledge shared
I appreciate the great range of speakers who empower me with information to remain healthy, happy and having a meaningful life
Every presentation has been informative and relevant, with important take home messages
Informative, powerful, motivational and inspirational. A pleasure and privilege to be there
WOW – Enlightening and empowering weekend!
Highly qualified and motivated professionals with very structured and informative presentations – all had take away messages useful in my clinical work
Absolutely loved every bit of it – look forward to next year
I felt I had my money’s worth by morning tea!
Our history:
The Gawler Foundation is a non-profit, non-denominational organisation, registered in Victoria since 1983. We actively support people, their carers and families who are challenged by cancer, multiple sclerosis and other serious illness and teach them to help themselves through our range of lifestyle programs. Pioneers in mind-body medicine, we work in effective partnerships with healthcare professionals to assist people in their quest for health, healing and wellness. We offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to prevent illness and enhance the health and wellbeing of the whole community.
The Gawler Foundation is a symbol of hope, healing and inspiration for others. Read more www.gawler.org
Integrative medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. (Consortium of Academic Health Centres for Integrative Medicine, 2005).
Health professionals who attend the conference can also qualify for Royal Australian College of General Practitioners CPD points for professional development.
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