Gangsters, and the International Cancer League...

After the session finished on Wednesday night, our brains were FULL.  But, I realised halfway through the last session that we had a gathering with other cancer charities from around the world to still attend...and I had to present!  It was put on by the Dutch Cancer Society, and was great session, where we met people from all over the world, and then got to hear a little about what everyone did.

I got up to speak and the computer didn't like my USB....NO!!!!!!!!  So, I did what I do best, talked off the top of my head, and while I was speaking, a lovely man from Cypress fixed it and I got my presentation back.  Phew!  By then I had already covered off most of what was in there, but at least they got to see my pretty pictures and hear about my FANTASTIC team :-)

See them trying to fix the computer while I distract everyone with Dougal bears!  :-)

It was interesting to hear what everyone else was doing.  We were asked to present on our fundraising successes and disappointments, which some people did, and some didn't.  We only had 10mins, and for me, most of that was taken up with me talking without a presentation!

Some interesting observations from around the world:
* Holland conducts a hugely succesful televised telethon
* The Cypress Cancer Society still has people who run into traffic when it is stopped at red lights, to tap on windows and ask for donations
* In Hungary, people can donate 1% of their taxible income to a charity or church at tax time (this is a big campaign, missed some of the details) so the Hungarian League against Cancer is competing every year for as many people to donate to them as possible
* The Norweigan Cancer Society ran a campaign for Pink Ribbon this year, where they asked people for space on their website, instead of a donation.  Organisations, bloggers and individuals put up a web banner which then went through to the Pink Ribbon page.  Very successful.
* In Luxembourg they have English expats hold a fundraising football game for them.

There were also societies from Finland, Denmark and Belgium present.  A really interesting evening.

Following our catchup with the other cancer charities, Ada and I raced off to get dressed for the 1920's gala dinner.  We had hired dresses, so we frocked up and headed out.  The theme was Gangsters and Prohibition, and lots of people dressed up.  We sat with some great people from Belgium and the UK and had a good night.  Unfortunately everything was catching up with us, so we ended up heading to bed around 10pm.  We were exhausted, and Ada was on a flight at 9am.  I had to say goodbye!!  We had done so much together, and I will always be grateful to have shared the experience with her - our very own global volunteer of the year!