Through an invitation arranged by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation,I was invited recently by Radio Clyde to attend a recording of the above named programme as a guest.Apparently this recording would be edited and distributed to other independant radio stations.I was seated in the studio at desk for the recording,headphones on with mic in front of me, I then heard a voice heard through the headphones,it was the interviewer,Moira,introducing herself to me,then inviting me to inroduce myself and tell her about my lung cancer journey,which i did,through dx and treatments,following this,Moira then asked me,what a listener should do if they think,they show some of the symptoms for LC that I had
described.Having now completed the interview,Moira thanked me for my contribution,I then left the studio.I wish I could tell you I gave a superb account of myself,but I really felt,I could have done this better,wishing I had said this instead of that,really thought I had blown an oppertunity for lung cancer survivors getting their voice heard,since a week after this recording now,I had heard nothing from them,I thought,well,maybe the recording has been binned,and they are now looking for an alternative interviewee.
However today,just home from the gym,my wife tells me that someone wants me to return their call regarding last weeks interview,which I did,It was Nicola of Consolidated PR,who are behind the programme which is called Life Matters:Detect Cancer Early Campaign,she went on to describe having heard my recording,she tells me I had said exactly what she was looking for from me,that she is absolutely delighted with my performance,I cannot tell you how hearing this was such a relief to me.She tells me my recording will be broadcast from the 27th of Feb on several radio stations.In fact she went on to ask me if I would like to meet up with Scotland Minister for Health (Nichola Sturgeon) next Monday to share my story with her,then join two other cancer survivors breast and prostate,on a conference platform to share our stories with the public,apparently this event will have some press coverage.I will of course let you know how that went next Monday.Bye for now.
Written by
ericbyrne
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This is a fantastic campaign, which I'm sure will make a real difference. Thanks Eric for all your hard work making lots of noise about lung cancer. You're an inspiration to us all!
This is great Eric, thank you for telling us. I think the campaign is brilliant. Your input is very much appreciated and as always you are contributing with great gusto.
This morning I attended the launch of the Scottish Government's campaign to improve the levels of early detection of cancer in individuals.The above link is a press release to introduce,to the media three cancer survivors of breast,bowel and lung cancer.
The campaign was launched this morning in Glasgow at the Springburn Health Centre (the district I was born and brought up in)by Scotland's minister for health,Nichola Sturgeon.When I arrived at the health centre,I was met with my PR contact person Caroline,who described the mornings proceedings to me.First the assembled press photographers would take photographs of the three survivors standing in front of the campaigns display board,I think there were representatives from every major newspaper in Scotland,that done we were moved to a room,to be interviewed by several doctors,to describe our survivor journies to date,I think I gave a comprehesive account of myself,the doctors were really interested in what I had to say and very much agreed with me on issues I had raised for improvement,the other two suvivors gave a similar account of their experiences.
Suddenly Nichola enters the room,introduces herself to me,nice touch that she knows who I am,she sits on the vacant chair beside me,and engages me fully in conversation about my cancer journey,I am surrounded by a battery of cameras,clicking constantly,Nichola tells me that my story is what this campaign is all about,males ignoring symptoms they are experiencing,and not going to their doctors and having them checked out,also acknowledging my daughter's contribution in forcing my hand in visiting the doctor timeously.The other survivors also relate their stories to Nichola.
Another photo oppertunity we three survivors are taken as a group,then each suvivor is taken individually against the campaign's backdrop.We are then led into a conference room,seated to watch a TV commercial about the campaign.The scene is a lady walking in a health centre to visit the doctors surgery,she is talking about cancer,its prevalence,but if caught in time,it is survivable,she enters the surgery and sits in the doctors chair,the twist is,she is the one with cancer,not as we expected on her way to meet a cancer patient.
I am invited to leave the conference room to another location,I am met by a young lady from Real Radio,would I agree to do an interview for her station,think you know the reply,I did the interview,this time I am pleased,no fluffed lines,I speak fluently and intelligibly,I hope?.Not finished yet,come on wake up,I am now led to a tripod mounted movie camera,to be interviewed and filmed by another young lady,I tell her her tripod is not properly levelled,she smiles,unconcerned,the cameras fine,I do the interview,she seems pleased with my efforts.
The morning actually started with a text from my wee sister Irene,a workmate had listened to an interview by me on Radio Clyde 1,in fact, many persons in the health centre also mentioned similar to me,I thought this broadcast didnt start until Monday next?,Caroline said she would email me the link to this prog.
One downer this morning was en-route to the health centre,was gridlock on the freeway,I was worried about being late so I came off and made my way through back streets,one section I passed through,I saw two bright flashes behind me,i had just passed through a un-noticed speed camera,drat that a £60 fine and three points on my license,unless there was no film in the camera?but knowing my luck!,Bye for now.
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