Annie Parker Foundation

National Cancer Survivors’ Day holds a special significance in the hearts of the Annie Parker Foundation Directors. This non-profit was founded by our CEO and President, Annie Parker with the belief that by sharing her story as a 3-time cancer survivor, and providing platforms for other individuals with lived experience to do the same, she could provide hope to cancer patients, families, caregivers, communities, and others with lived experience. Some of our in-person and virtual community engagement programs, platforms, events and activities include: Survivors Tell A Real Story (S.T.A.R.S.) – A signature grassroots engagement event where cancer survivors come together to share their stories of survival and resilience, thereby inspiring cancer patients, their families, caregivers, communities and individuals with lived experience. Canadian Cancer Journeys – A communications channel for patients to provide feedback on how gaps in the planning and design process of Canada’s health care sector have affected them and what can be done to improve health system processes and tools. Annie’s Book Signing – An event where Annie engages with members of the community to share her cancer journey and sell her autobiography “Annie Parker Decoded,” to raise funds to support cancer patients, their families, caregivers and individuals with lived experience. The APF foundation plans to continue to hold more formal and informal initiatives to support these groups and we encourage you to follow our channels to learn more. #NCSD #communityengagement #patients #families #caregivers #IWLE

As a BRCA1 carrier, CEO, Annie Parker knows all about the important role that genomics plays in finding cures for Canada’s number # 1 killer, cancer. Cancer is in her DNA. It was thanks to the revolutionary genomics-based discovery of Dr. Mary-Claire King that she is here today. On this Mother’s Day, Annie reflects on losing her own mom to breast cancer, and how thanks to a genomics-based innovation, she survived to watch her son grow up. We also hear the perspectives of some of our Directors who are mothers and have been impacted by cancer in some way. Click on the graphics to learn more. #HappyMothersDay #genomics 

The 2024 theme for National Volunteer Week is “Every Moment Matters.” This is important for a healthcare, community-based non-profit such as the Annie Parker Foundation, which is focused on providing educational resources for hereditary cancer families, especially IRER populations, who are often left out of cancer research in Canada. Our aim is to partner with hospitals, clinics, corporations, community-based organizations, individuals, the media, other non-profits, and governments, to increase awareness of risk factors, preventive methods such as genetic testing, and healthcare institutions that people can reach out to for further information. Volunteering with the APF helps you to: ·       Gain real world experience at an organization committed to a worthy cause. ·       Develop a portfolio of work that you can use to apply for jobs. Just ask one of our dedicated volunteers, Eileen Oh, who is also a member of the IRER populations. “Volunteering for the Annie Parker Foundation has not only increased my knowledge on hereditary breast cancer, but it also allows to me build strong connections with everyone in the Foundation! It’s rewarding to know my volunteer efforts are helping many people, and making a difference in the world.” Eileen Oh, Communications and Marketing Volunteer We are currently looking for volunteers to help us achieve our vision, mission, and strategic directions. Please contact our CEO, Annie Parker at hello@annieparkerfoundation.com if interested. #NationalVolunteerWeek #education #hereditarycancers 

The 2024 theme for World Health Day is “My health, my right.” While Canada has universal health coverage, Black, Indigenous, and other racial minorities continue to be left out of clinical trials and other cancer research. Immigrants, refugees, and newcomers, especially work permit holders and students, are less likely to seek out medical treatment after a cancer diagnosis. Temporary residents are especially vulnerable because while they pay the same living expenses as citizens and permanent residents, and even more for education, they are ineligible from accessing the services that various agencies provide. Disparities in cancer risk, treatment, costs, and outcomes are alarming in a country that is built on immigration and preaches diversity. The Annie Parker Foundation will continue to provide educational resources to ensure that individuals who have a risk of hereditary cancers are provided with the information that they need to protect their health and that of their loved ones. Help these groups by donating: Ø Canada Helps: https://lnkd.in/gs_eJ7ts Ø Our CRM Database: https://lnkd.in/gRXVgRSQ Ø Our Website: https://lnkd.in/gJEdpHse #WorldHealthDay #donate #education #vulnerablepopulations 

A blessed Resurrection Sunday to all those who celebrate on behalf of the Annie Parker Foundation. #ResurrectionSunday 

Never forgot the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us, on this day and every day. #GoodFriday #Golgotha #crucifixion #bloodshed #calvary #veiltornintwo #throneroomofgrace

On International Women’s Day, the Annie Parker Foundation salutes all of those health care providers who continue to listen to the voices of cancer patients, address all of their concerns, and answer all of their questions, thereby creating better patient experiences for these persons. Our CEO, Anne Parker, a breast cancer survivor has been on both sides and knows all too well the frustrations that cancer patients have when their fears are pushed aside. However, she also knows the sense of relief when an oncologist finally addresses a cancer patient’s concerns. For Annie, that came from Medical Geneticist, Dr. Mary-Claire King. This changed her life so much that she resolved to present a platform for other cancer patients’ voices to be heard, which she did in creating events such as Survivors Tell A Real Story (S.T.A.R.S.). On this day, we applaud all of the physicians who take the time in their clinical practice to put their patients’ mind at ease as much as possible and ensure that they do everything in their power to reduce the burden that these cancer patients have in their breast cancer journeys. We recognize that the clinical trials that you embark on, the medical equipment that you manufacture, and other research that you devote your time to, provides hope to cancer patients, and leads to better breast health practices. Continue to do what you do best, provide patient-centred care to the thousands of women in Canada who are diagnosed with breast cancer. #IWD #breasthealth #APFsalutesyou #surgeons #radiologists #oncologists #medicalgeneticists #scientists #researchers #nurses

Normalizing the conversations surrounding cancer will help pave the way to reducing the stigma and shame associated with this terrible disease, while also providing support for other cancer patients going through their own cancer journeys. This is one of the reasons why Canadian Journalist, Author, Speaker, and Host of the series "Style Matters” on TSC, Jeanne Beker decided to go public with her own cancer diagnosis and treatment. In an interview with Director of Corporate Communications, Public Relations and Marketing, Annie Parker Foundation, Patricia Thangaraj for our second episode of “Canadian Cancer Journeys,” she states that as a public figure, she also felt that it is important to share something so personal with her fans. She also speaks about how having a positive attitude, and being surrounded by optimistic people is important, shares how her dear friend, Canadian Fashion Model, Linda Evangelista’s own cancer story helped her, and credits the medical staff at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for her recovery. Click here to read it: https://lnkd.in/gZt3UzeU All photos were provided by Beker. #patientinterviews #supporterinterviews #patientstories #supporterstories #storytelling #powerfulnarratives #PMCC #transformativework #conquercancer #cancerresearch #cancerprevention #cancertreatment #savelives #Canadianhealthcare

Today is the UN’s International Day for Women and Girls in Science. The shortage of health care workers in Canada continues to be an issue. There is also a disproportionate amount of women and girls entering the field. Furthermore, cancer continues to rank among the top two chronic diseases in Canada in both diagnosis and deaths, many of which could be prevented with the right education in such areas as genetic counseling and testing. Both of these issues concern us as a health care not-for-profit focused on providing educational content to hereditary cancer patients, survivors and previvors, aimed at saving lives. On this day, we hear from two young ladies pursuing an education in the applied health sciences on: “What would you say to encourage more women and girls in Canada to pursue an education in and enter the applied health sciences field?” #IDWGS #fixCanadianhealthcareshortages #appliedhealthscienceseducation #empowerwomen #empowergirls #cancereducation #improveCanadianhealthcare

On World Cancer Day under the 2024 theme of “Close the Care Gap,” the Annie Parker Foundation highlights one of the major issues in achieving this goal in Canada – increasing patients’ access to family physicians in Northern, rural and remote Ontario and how this lack of access is having negative outcomes for cancer patients. Director of Corporate Communications, Public Relations and Marketing, Patricia Thangaraj sat down with Northern Ontario resident and cancer patient, Kittana Ruels to get her first-hand perspectives on the health care challenges she has faced living in this part of the province, what she changes she would like to see implemented, advise to other cancer patients, actions she would like to see from medical professionals and steps she would like Ministry of Health and other Government officials to take. Click here to read it: Taking Back Her Life https://lnkd.in/gbkzzqjV We couldn’t think of a more fitting day to launch our patient stories series “Canadian Cancer Journeys,” where cancer patients and survivors would be interviewed to hear their perspectives. #ClosetheCareGap #NorthernOntariocancercommunities #patientinterviews #patientstories #HHRcrisis #DEI #educationalcontent #Ontariohealthcaresystem #Canadianhealthcare #storytelling