Forward is a Pace: Reflections from the Getting Our Fair SHARE Conference
By Helana Shumway, Public Relations Coordinator
Seven-hour train rides are more than worth it for a conference on health equity. That’s what Executive Director Christina Thompson and I felt as we traveled from Rochester to New York City last week for an incredible all-day conference held by SHARE Cancer Support titled “Getting Our Fair SHARE.”
The conference focused on advancing health equity through addressing four important themes: access to care, financial toxicity, health literacy and psychosocial impact for those living with breast or gynecologic cancer. Each presenter and panel discussion invited critical thinking and powerful reflection.
One moment of the conference that really stuck with me was when one of the presenters, a health care provider in New York City, was discussing his focus on health equity amidst the many challenges our health care system is facing. He shared the phrase “Forward is a pace.”
In the days since, I’ve been sitting with what exactly that means. As it pertains to health equity, I think it means that progress will be slow as we try to overcome the barriers in our path. But if we continue moving forward – no matter how fast or how slow – we are continuing to make progress.
The Breast Cancer Coalition’s Advocacy Committee is no stranger to progress taking time. We have supported certain pieces of legislation – like the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R.2048) – for years. Progress is slow, but it is progress, nonetheless.
Our current efforts to support the Beauty Justice Act (S.2057A/A.2054A) also reflect the committee’s dedication to moving forward. We continue to engage with organizations locally and regionally to support the importance of this legislation. Removing toxic chemicals from personal care products and cosmetics is a matter of health equity, particularly as communities of color are exposed to these chemicals at higher rates, resulting in a disproportionate impact. Through our committee’s engagement with elected officials, organizations and community members, we hope to be a part of the movement to see the Beauty Justice Act pass in New York.
SHARE’s conference was a reminder that our work in addressing health disparities and health care access for those with a breast or gynecologic cancer diagnosis takes time, but we cannot lose hope. Our perseverance is the work. I look forward to continued engagement and coalition building with many of the presenters at the conference as we work toward greater equity in our health care system. Through shared goals, a common humanity and a focus on community, our pace is steady. We are moving forward.
