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Journal of Gastrointestinal & Digestive System | ISSN: 2161-069X | Volume: 8
&
&
October 29-30, 2018 | San Francisco, USA
International Conference on
Gastrointestinal Cancer and Therapeutics
4
th
World Congress on
Digestive & Metabolic Diseases
26
th
Annual Congress on
Cancer Science and Targeted Therapies
A patient’s experiences about what quality of life actually means
Chad Walkaden
Chad Walkaden Counselling & Consulting Services, Australia
T
heCancer Blueprint is a cancer coaching programthat is based on amodel created inAustralia by three-time cancer survivor,
Chad Walkaden. In 2014, at the age of 29, Chad was diagnosed with a stage four Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma (ACC) and
he had a life expectancy of under 24 months. During the past four years, he has used overcome two separate reoccurrences
and he has simultaneously experienced his mother’s personal battles with a bowel cancer diagnosis. A combination of his past
university studies, his personal experiences and an interest in promoting his quality of life placed him in the ideal position to
use his knowledge and unique skillset to help other patients. The result of his endeavors included a collaboration with Sydney
University and a collaboration with Australian Cancer Charity, Redkite. More recently, his cancer coaching model has been
used to help patients (and their families) with their personal experiences of having cancer. The model is designed to directly
coincide with the care that a patient is receiving from their doctor and or oncologist. The main focus is to promote the quality
of life for the patient by providing psychological and emotional coaching and then integrating evidence-based supplementary
and alternate treatments into their life.
Biography
Chad Walkaden is an experienced forensic social worker with tertiary studies also in education and family therapy. He is the director of Chad Walkaden Counselling
& Consulting Services. A service combing both the reparative work associated with counselling, coupled with a more proactive and holistic approach to coaching.
In 2015, he developed “The Sunflower Model: Life Beyond Treatment”, a nationally endorsed education/therapeutic group for people aged 16-24 who have finished
their cancer treatment.
chad@cwcounselling.com.auChad Walkaden, J Gastrointest Dig Syst 2018, Volume 8
DOI: 10.4172/2161-069X-C8-085