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Support * APF Support WA

APF Support Western Australia

 

Are you interested in assisting the Foundation with arranging support activities in WA?  Our state co-ordinator had to step back and we need some help.

If so, please contact Sue  or phone 07 3376 2083 and we'll let you know how much fun and rewarding it is!

The Foundation would like to thank Alicia, partner of Byron (member) who has stepped up to arrange occasional support gatherings in and around Perth. 



Current Activites


Line up to attend our Pituitary Awareness Seminar at Fremantle Hospital on 13th November as it will be one to remember!


Sizzler! 4th July 2010


Lunch at Sizzler in Riverton was lovely.  Good food, great company.  Those that attended were Alwynne, her son and friend Maurine, Maria and her husband Franco and Sylvia and and her husband Nick. Oh and myself and Byron and our children Tamzyn (3) and Bryn (1). Elizabeth, retired state co-ordinator, who was sick, sent her best wishes to all.

We discussed enthusiastically another gathering which will be held late Sept/early Oct at Bibra Lake. We will be holding a BBQ picnic. Dates will be confirmed soon and details sent out.  Everyone I have spoken to seems keen to keep the ball rolling on meeting up on a regular basis. Hopefully will have some more news soon.

Alicia.
 

 

Support BBQ 16 January 2010

WA held a BBQ on the Swan river foreshore on January 16th for members, families, and friends. The day of the BBQ was sunny and clear but very warm in Perth!  Although the temperature kept a few people away, there was a great turnout from WA members for the twilight BBQ and social get together. Despite a complication with the public facility BBQ’s, a filling and delicious dinner was provided by the APF and some very helpful members. A great time was had by all who attended and it was a great opportunity for everyone to catch up and relax by the beautiful river.

 

 

 

Support Group Morning Tea 14 Nov. 2009

A fantastic display of support from the WA members and families made for a memorable and highly enjoyable morning tea social get together in Perth. We took over three tables at the Peninsula Tea Gardens and were treated to a wonderful view and a beautiful morning tea. It was a great opportunity for members and families – both new and existing to catch up and chat and offer personal insights and support from their own experiences. We were very fortunate to have new members come along and take part and the WA support base really shone as a fantastic network of kind and supportive people willing to take the time to help others out. 

 

"Pituitary in the West"

Perth certainly turned on the beautiful weather for the "Pituitary in the West" Seminar held at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital on Saturday 26 September 2009. The seminar sought to provide information, resources, and support to those suffering from pituitary illnesses and disorders, their families and friends – as well as the interested public. We had a great representation from the health professional field attend also, which is fantastic as it will further assist to provide awareness across the WA community. We had a good turn out overall and reports from the day have indicated that everyone enjoyed the range of topics and were able to take something away from the presentations. It was fantastic to also be able to share a bite to eat with some of the presenters and chat to those attending to muse over the presentations and share a thought or two.

Prof. Neville Knuckey & Prof. Bronwyn Stuckey   Assoc.Prof. Timothy Jones

Prof. Bu Yeap, Elizabeth Howell, Emily McKenzie,
Lana Kelly, Dr. Melissa Tanner, Dr. Ee Mun Lim, Sue Kozij

Our patient perspective presentation represented a variety of conditions, treatments and outcomes.  Elizabeth Howell spoke about ‘Acromegaly and on going treatments’; Emily McKenzie about ‘Prolactinoma, treatment and psychological effects’; Sue Kozij on ‘Cushing’s Disease with positive outcomes from treatment’; and Lana Kelly on ’Panhypopituitarism and misdiagnosis from head trauma’.

We had a good turn out overall and reports from the day have indicated that everyone enjoyed the range of topics and were able to take something away from the presentations. It was fantastic to also be able to share a bite to eat with some of the presenters and chat to those attending to muse over the presentations and share a thought or two.

Thanks must go to:

  • Prof. Bu Yeap, Fremantle Hospital  
  • Dr. Melissa Tanner, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
  • Dr. Ee Mun Lim, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
  • Assoc. Clinical Prof. Timothy Jones, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
  • Clinical Prof. Bronwyn Stuckey, Consultant Endocrinologist to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
  • Prof. Neville Knuckey, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
  • Emily McKenzie, Lana Kelly, and Elizabeth Howell

In particular thanks to Sue and Eric Kozij who journeyed form Brisbane and were integral in arranging the day. 



History of APF in WA

In 1994 Kevin Gillam and Elizabeth Howell met for a coffee, in a suburban coffee shop, having being introduced to each other, via phone, by a mutual friend.  This friend, in her wisdom, thought it would be beneficial for two fellow suffers of a pituitary condition to meet.  Therein lay the beginnings of support in WA.

The meeting was so beneficial that further coffee shop meetings were held and gradually, through word of mouth, others joined the group.   At the same time, the APF was being  established in Sydney and so WA joined forces.   Meetings branched out to picnics and  home dinners but were always socially based.   It was a few years before we actually had  a hospital seminar.  Cheryl Smith and Lana Kelly came on board in the early years and together with Kevin and Elizabeth the group have worked collaboratively for many many years, providing support, education and warmth to individuals and families affected by pituitary disease. 

The APF would like to sincerely thank Elizabeth, Kevin, Lana & Cheryl, and wish them all the best in the future, and thank them for their positive influence upon those whose lives they have touched.
 

Emily.jpgEmily McKenzie held this role for a period of time up till ealry this year.   Due to personal circumstances Emily has retired, and we are now seeking a replacement.   Many thanks to Emily for all she did during her time with us.

Emily was diagnosed with a Prolactinoma in 2007 while she was living in a regional area.  Like a lot of people she had spoken to, access to information and diagnostic services was not easy and she was very glad to have come across the APF.  



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