Cansurvive ResearchAssociation was established in July 1995. It's first base was in Caloundra Queensland. The founders were Eve Williamson and David Hurst.
Dr Ruth Cilento very graciously accepted our invitation to become Patron.
Cansurvive was established because of a need at the time for a Support and Information service for those who were challenged with cancer. Not just information and support, but a service that offered a greater awareness of the benefits of holistic, non invasive cancer therapies, nutrition and diet, as well as orthodox treatments. What was available and where to access them.
A place of hope and uplifting support, a window of light into the world of healing, where the word "Terminal” became a challenge, not a death sentence.
I myself had been challenged with cancer when living in Brussels, Belgium in 1990. My husband had been posted there to run the Hong Kong desk which was a diplomatic posting and a rather exciting place to spend three years. We had previously lived in Hong Kong for a number of years.
We had lived in Brussels for about a year and I was planning to return to Australia for my Sons wedding At that time I had been experiencing flashing lights in my left eye which I thought was quite pretty but didn't understand why they were happening. I decided to check out with an eye specialist before flying out to Australia for the wedding. He promptly told me, if I were to fly, there was a chance I would loose my eye sight due to a detached retina. Here I was a healthy, fit, and loving life individual, being stopped in my tracks with, what I was led to believe was a detached retina.
He did mention the possibility of there being a tumour or some other reason for the detached retina. He sent me off that very day to St LUC'S Hospital in Brussels for a scan and further tests. I was beginning to feel a sense of fear and apprehension, and knew that it was possible that there could be some thing more serious in the offing. Those fears were to be realised.
I was devastated when told the scans were to show a tumour in my left eye. Which turned out to be a melanoma tumour.
I am sure all cancer patients, think, "who me, why me?” I am healthy and well, this just can't be happening, they have got to have made a mistake. This is such a familiar emotion for those who are challenged with cancer.
The Day of my Son's wedding in Australia, I was lying in bed in St Lucs Hospital in Brussels, having been through a fairly trying surgical procedure to my precious beautiful eye. I was feeling vulnerable and a little sorry for myself, missing my family and friends.
When you are in a stressful situation and a frightening one, you feel the need of kith and kin. I had so much wanted to be there at my Sons wedding and to share that beautiful day with all the gathered family members. Phone calls from family during that day. were so welcome, just the sound of their voice made me weep. Communication had been difficult in the hospital as I did not speak Flemish and only spoke a little French. Dr Croughs who was the eye specialists handling my case spoke excellent English and was fantastic. I was out of hospital within a week sporting an eye patch and getting used to navigating my way around with one eye. The treatment had included inserting a gold plaque behind my eye with precision placed radium salts directed at the tumour, which would continue to burn the tumour without hopefully damaging any other part of the eye.I was assured that my sight would not be affected.There were many other follow up treatments such as laser treatments to eliminate cataracts that were forming due to the treatment I was receiving.
In September 1991 having returned to Hong Kong for a period of time, I eventually had a series of two operations, performed by a Professor Patrick Ho based In Hong Kong. One being a lens replacement, followed by a PCIOL implantation along with a peripheral iridectomy. The implantation was to cause great problems and certainly intense pain. The end result was to cause total blindness in my left eye. I was told that my sight would return in a few days after the operation and not to worry!
My sight was never to return.
Through all of this one remains thankful for the good health that is with me today, I may be without sight in my left eye, but the challenge of melanoma cancer is no longer with me. There were many avenues to follow on the healing path, some were stunningly rewarding. All of these experiences led me to be where I am today, and gratefully thankful for God's blessings.
One of the major turning points in my healing journey was meeting up with a man named Matthew Manning in Hong Kong in 1992 He was a well known healer based in Burry St Edmonds in England. He had been invited out by the Cancer Fund in Hong Kong to give a talk, demonstration and week end workshop. That week end experience was to turn my life around. I had been to the specialist that morning before attending the workshop, the news had been anything but up lifting. Dire warnings were issued about my reluctance and indeed, perhaps bloody mindedness about having my eye removed and replaced with a coral like implant.. I just could not accept that avenue of treatment. Even although the predictions were fearful. Some thing in me knew there had to be a better way.
Matthew was to prove that to be so.
I arrived at the place where the week end seminar was to be held, a centre In Wong Nei Chung Gap Rd. A beautiful place set high above the bustling city of Hong Kong, overlooking both sides of the Island, Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay sparkling like a jewel in the distance.
It was a cool Autumn day when I drove there from the specialists appointment to meet with a dear friend, to attend this healing week end workshop/seminar. Wrapped in a bottle green Highland cape for warmth, (hard to think of Hong Kong being that cold in the winter ! )my eye after the mornings treatments was looking any thing but sexy, half of my face was swollen and tender,and my eye was rather painful.
Neither my friend and I had any idea what the days events would entail. I had no great expectations, but was certainly curious about the healing phenomena of this man Matthew Manning.
He was a flamboyant young looking man in a polka dot sports jacket! Some how your image of those that are blessed with God given healing abilities, would be dressed accordingly. Dog collars or flowing robes or something akin to that. Don't judge a book by it's cover should be the motto!
It proved to be an amazing experience. I find it hard to put into words to explain what happened to me during that blessed long week end.The swelling went down, the eye became calm, my Nausea had dissipated.
He would place his hands on my shoulders, the heat would begin to feel intense, causing my body to vibrate. It felt, in a spiritual sense as if I were being lifted beyond the physical body, a feeling of floating, being surrounded by intense light and all embracing love. An expansion of the soul is about the only way I can explain it. It was truly an amazing experience.
About a week later, on returning to the specialist for my periodic follow up treatment, Professor Ho does the usual scan and examination to see how the tumour is behaving; . he shows surprise! "What have you been doing?” he says, "Your eye has settled down, the swelling has gone and the tumour is beginning to melt away.” I smile like a Cheshire cat, and think to my self "should I really tell him” he will think I am mad! What to hell, I should just tell him any way.
This inscrutable Chinese face looks at me without emotion, which basket is he placing me in? I am not sure, and I didn't care, I felt well, I am well, and what's more (although I hadn't told him) I had thrown out the medication precribed. Perhaps this goes under the heading of a 'Leap of Faith' I just knew that I was going to be ok. From now on I had decidedto be the person who would take care of ME!
He surprises me with his comment. "If this is what healing has done for you, then continue, but I can't be seen to be party to this type of treatment” He then told me, I could perhaps help others who were in the same boat as myself.
The timely meeting of Matthew Manning has been the catalyst in my life, pulling together the whole holistic picture, clearly defining to me, that the healing journey is within ones own control.The tools are there to harness, we have the reigns, and the control. It's each and every ones personal journey. The establishing and setting up of Cansurvive is about that journey.
I returned to Australia in November 1993 to visit my dearly beloved Father who was in hospital with a heart condition. the day after I returned he died. It was also the unfortunate end of my own troubled marriage. It was a stressful difficult time in my life. A triple whammy! There was an obvious need for me to find a support group that would uplift and encourage wellness and health, be informative and stimulating.
At this stage, along came David Hurst, a Buddhist Monk, just the right person to meet at the right time. He was an amazing man, with a wonderful ability to support , and encourage people towards self healing.
His healing meditations were powerful and uplifting. He wasn't the solemn detached guru living in his own little world, he had a great sense of humour and loved life. We became close friends and shared a common interest and desire to open a supportive service for those who were challenged with cancer. Nothing was available to the public at the time. There were support groups, but nothing in the field of holistic therapies and nutritional advice. It was simply a blank page and needed filling. So what do you do when it isn't there?
You go do it!
After much thought and effort Cansurvive was registered in July 1995. It has been a great source of support, giving much needed hope, information and education to the many who have turned to Cansurvive for help. David Hurst died the month Cansurvive was registered. His teachings go on through his regular column in the Cansurvive Magazine. His books and C.Ds are available from the Cansurvive library, and can be purchased through thre Cansurvive web shop.
Today Cansurvive is expanding. It is expected that further groups will open in various areas of Australia in the future. In 2010 a well organized Cansurvive group has been registered in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Where ever there is a request and a need, we will support them.The window of light travels on where ever it is needed.
Like all voluntaryorganizations, we need support. Cansurvive is run purely by voluntary help, dedication and commitment.
The Cansurvive support groups offer educational seminars,supportive workshops, healing meditations, Counselling, comprehensive library, net access, practitioner information, and information on a range of holistic clinics both here in Australia and overseas. The Support groups are run as donation only, making it available to all who seek our help.
The Cansurvive Magazine is a travelling support group in it's self. It reaches many areas in Australia, giving help and support to those, where no support group is available. The main branch of Cansurvive is now based in Nambour Qld on a beautiful 4 acre property of rain forest and tropical gardens. An ideal place for a cancer retreat and information,support service.
In 1995 The original Support group was held in my Caloundra apartment which had wonderful views over the ocean and over the Glass House Mountains, the only draw back was one had to climb three flights of stairs to access the place. And for some who were not in the best of health it was a effort to make the climb.
On the day of the support group, I would pull out the boxes of books residing under the bed in the spare room, set up the group, and away we would go. .
The group was to prove very popular and soon expanded.
My past business experience was some how to prove helpful in the setting up and organizing of Cansurvive. That experience ranged from, nursing training in my early years. When my three children were a little older, the setting up and running of a travelling Salon in Hong Kong which was very successful and fun to work with. I also taught Yoga, healing meditation and fitness. The travelling Salon was sold. I then moved into interior design and managing property. I loved this as I had always had a passion for decoration and design, I ended up being responsible for the interior design and management of 24 properties in Hong Kong. These were heady days in 1989 and I loved my work. In 1990 my husband and I were posted to Brussels.
In hind site, you look back over the kaleidoscope of life and try to make sense of the many turning points that have evolved. There have been difficulties to cope with, but some how in a strange way, they have tempered the steel of endurance creating wonderful learning curves that would not have presented had one not been challenged. Sometimes the explosions that disrupt the path of your life create a new dimension of thinking and being, and often in hind sight ...a blessing !
In 1997 my then divorced husband, came back to visit me in Australia, supposedly for "fun in the sun” and a little holiday. By this time we were on reasonable terms. My life at this stage was very much together,I felt happy in myself, and committed to the chosen path which was my dedication to Cansurvive.
Patrick my x husband, was living in Cyprus, he had received Early retirement due to the hand over of Hong Kong to China. He had remarried but had obviously made a disastrous mistake and was most unhappy.
Fun in the sun ended up being a three year sojourn together which included moving to a beautiful spot in Maleny, 4 acres of heaven, lot's of out buildings, A perfect place for the running of a Cansurvive centre.
The large country home was used for various seminars and work shops, the verandas for Devonshire teas and fund raising events. The beautiful gardens were open to the public once a year.
In 2004 it was decide to move Cansurvive out of my home base in Maleny as I had put my property up for sale. Cansurvive was eventually established within a commercial environment close to the Gen Hospital in the Sunshine Coast area.In 2005 we received a very welcome donation of funds fromthe Maher family in memory of Merle Maher for the establishing of a centre which would benefit members of the community.
This wonderful bequest has allowed us to expand the services we offer the public by purchasing a property at 69 Park Rd Nambour. It's a magnificent property. Meandering paths through rainforest and lawns. A little creek runs through the gardens, stradled by two red wooden bridges. Yes, it's a magnificent spot, a perfect retreat for those challenged with cancer.
Cansurvive has grown in leaps and bounds over the years and is now a well established organization.It is run entirely by the wonderful support of dedicated volunteers. It is funded by personal Cansurvive membership, Co sponsorships and greatly appreciated donations from members of the public.
To me Cansurvive is a dedication, and a commitment to the cause. 15 years ago, when visiting Scotland, the home of my birth, I made a Highland pledge to the memory of my dear Mother and Sister who both died of cancer at an early age. How much more of a push did one need to take the leap of faith to launch Cansurvive into the future.?
There will come a time when I decide to move on,to hand over the reins of Cansurvive to be run by various dedicated volunteers. We have certainly achieved much in the past 16 years and I know we will continue to do so.
To all those who are challenged with cancer,now or in the future, just know that you yourself are more powerful than you ever dreamed! Believe in your own instinctive guidance and healing ability, The tools of healing are available. Seek guidance, information and support; it's yours to tap into. God's grace is in all that we do and all that we achieve.
"A Personal Story”
Eve Williamson -Founder and President of Cansurvive