International Gynae Awareness Day: Kath Mazzella

Kathy Mazzella is one of my heroes. At the young age of 39, she discovered she had vulvar cancer. After undergoing radical surgery that removed her vulva and her clitoris, she was devastated.. but did not let that stop her. She had to find out if there were other women who had gone through this, although her doctors told her it was exceedingly rare. She found that there were indeed many women who were affected by this rare cancer. She went on to found the GAIN organization and is actively pursuing the foundation of an International Gynecological Awareness Day.. September 10th of every year. Kathy's cancer was discovered in 1994. She hasn't stopped yet.



Read more about Kathy's ordeal at:

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s104268.htm

Kath has inspired me to celebrate International Gynae Awareness Day in the UK and constantly amazes me with her drive to raise awareness. Kath has been through so much, yet never focuses on herself, all her energy goes on saving women's lives and she is wonderful!
Jeannette Preston Founder of PANTS
Raising Awareness of Gynae and testicular cancers in the UK
www.pantsmatters.org.uk

Kath Mazella is speaking out about a topic that no one else will - even Doctor's do not talk to women about Vulvar Cancer. She is a Hero for ALL women worldwide.

Kath Mazella is amazing. Her empathy and dedication are legendary among those she helps. And she helps many, many more women than even know her.

Kath, Your commitment to your cause serves as an inspiration to all those who know you, men and women alike.

Thank God for women like Kath who take on causes others don't want to address. Women are built differently and we have unique health issues that don't often get addressed, let alone funded for research for cures. You are a GUTZY WOMAN, Kath, and on behalf of GutZy Women across the world...THANK YOU for taking it seriously and fighting for such an important cause on behalf of half the population of the world!

I have the honour of knowing Kath. Her passion, vision, courage, energy and commitment to improving the health and lives of women is truly inspirational.

Kath Mazzella is an outstanding woman of great courage. She has taken a taboo subject -vulval/gynaecological cancer and worked tirelessly to make women aware of their personal health. In a society which has difficulty dealing with gynaecological issues in a medical sense-although as an advertising gimmick women's sexuality is over addressed, she has pushed and worked to get these health issues addressed and funded. She developed a conference Viva la Vulva which had excellent speakers and publicity. She is an ideal candidate for Our Bodies Outselves to honour

Like Kath, I have gone through the same life altering surgery losing all of my vulva and clitoris in 2003. Unfortunately, I recently had a recurrence and am about to go through it all again! Kath has been there encouraging me through all of this. She is brave and continues her fight even when people are against the topic.



I tip my hat to you, Kath. You go girl!!!!

Kath Mazzella shows us all that an individual can make a profound difference to the recognition of a human issue, on a local, national and international scale. Kath remains a humble and approachable person, not seeing herself for the giant that she has become in the public arena in relation to raising awareness about vulval and gynaechological cancers. Kath has applied her quiet determination, and her great style and flair, to growing this unique movement of women, and some men, to a now unstoppable degree. The public health dimension of Kath's work is a fraction of her impact at an individual personal level for women all over the world, who have faced the deep stigma and isolation of vulva cancer in particular. The Health Consumers' Council of WA in Australia is a witness to Kath's activism and work and unreservedly acknowledges her achievements.

I THOROUGHLY APPLAUD KATH'S DILIGENCE AND EFFORTS ON ALL WOMENS BEHALF

GOOD LUCK IN ALL YOUR EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF ALL WOMEN

YOU'VE WORKED SO HARD FOR SO LONG

Kath has been a wonderful inspiration and a source of very valuable information. It has been difficult to find useful and accurate information about gyn cancers that is presented in a manner that is easy to understand.

Kath had been able to do all of the above.



She's an amazing individual who has made a difference for many other women. I'm sure that she's touched more people than she realizes.

Kath is an amazing leader, whose passion and courage is inspiring to everyone she meets.

Kath - Your creative strategies to get across sensitive information is applauded. your tireless efforts have REALLY made a difference.

Kath is a true hero using her personal experience to inspire, inform and help others. Kath talks about topics that most of us don't like talking about and this dialogue is essential in building women's awareness and self-care for their health. Kath shared her personal journey at a LunchBox List event for businesswomen in Western Australia, and continues to show immense courage and the value of determination in all that she does. Go Kath - keep up your great work!

Kath has turned a painful personal experience into something very positive for the good of all women. Her perserverance and courage to continue the battle for women's gynaecological health should be admired as individuals like her are very rare in society and should be supported and very highly valued for what they do for the greater good of humankind. I wish Kath all the best in her journey.

Kath Mazzella has worked tirelessly in Australia for the cause of women suffering from gynaological cancer. A victim herself she has carried on working to help others.

Kath Mazella is an indefatigable promoter of women's sexual health and women's sexual rights. She recognises the power of words and how their misuse leads to detrimental attitudes and the dismissal of women's sexuality by a wide range of specialist, medical practitioners. Viva the Vulva!!

well done, Kath! Maureen

Kath you are an inspiration to all and your strength is beyond what most could imagine. I am honored to vote you and let everyone know what an amazing person you are.



Much love always!



Lindsay

I met Kath in 1997 when she was devastated, frustrated and angered by her personal experience with the medical system. I have seen her transform those feelings into a driving force to educate both medical professionals and women about women's health issues. Her dedicated work has improved the lives of women across Australia and the world!

Viva la Vulva!!

Kath has dedicated 15 years to the cause to raise the awareness to Gyn health. Her efforts are have met great resistance in the early stages but this has not stopped her unwavering dedication to change the mindset of the public and professionals inthe education of all in GYN health matters.



Viva La Vulva

Kath was an inspiration to me whilst I was undergoing treatment for Cervical Cancer recently. From Kath being my client, she quickly became my friend, and understood and helped me along my journey. Thanks Kath, you deserve this award!

the most amazing woman i ever seen , she show me the light of womans health.

Kath Mazella has been an amazing support and inspiration to me for the past 13 years. I also was diagnosed with Vulval Cancer at the age of 37and again age 42 .Kath was the first and only other i know of who had the same cancer. If not for her courageous effort to educate and bring out an awareness my journey would have been extremely lonely.

She never stops beating the drum and speaking on behalf of us who have suffered in silence.I know first hand how difficult patients and health care providers find it to speak about intimate cancers which makes it even more difficult to have the necessay support for people like me and the families it effects.

Thank you Kath for always stepping out and confronting the issues .Women need to support women and stand united to raise awareness and celebrate treasures like Kath. Go girl friend !! Viva La Vulva !!

I am honored and proud to say Kath is my Aunty. She had dedicated so much of her life to her passion for us all as women and a fight for empowering us all to listen to our bodies but to also become aware of our bodies and to not be ashamed. With an amazing husband who stand by her she has done so much. May you read this and realized how many lives you have touched. Well done Kath!



We love you heaps

From all your family.

I applaud Kath for all of her Hard Work and perserverance over the years. She is definetely an INSPIRATION to all women who suffer with gynecological problems. Thanks for standing up for ALL of us Kath........May god bless you !!

THANK YOU KATH. Not only for making visible this important health issue for us, but also thank you for the inspiration to not give up, to keep on saying THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH...to keep on saying THIS HAS TO CHANGE!! NO matter how long it takes, no mattet how big the obstacles.

I would have to be tough to talk about losing parts of you that make you a woman. Kath has overcome any reservation and told the world. She is not looking for sympathy, nor any recognition; she just wants other women to check (and talk about) all the health points beyond the usual blood cholesterol and blood pressure that every GP will do. And if something amiss affects those womanly parts, you can remain a positive, healthy woman all the same. Big heart. Big story. Roknroll Kath. (BTW, I think mazzella is Italian for a small hammer. Keep on hammering away Kath).

Kath - you are an inspiration. Keep on keeping on.



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I have known Kath for some years and remain amazed at her courage, determination and just plain grit. She has done much to advance the cause of gynaecological health and common sense. She very much deserves recognition for her work.

I would just like to thank Kath for being such a hard worker for the cause of all of us women and girls. Thank you Kath

Kath's passion and commitment to raising awareness for all women is aweinspiring. She is an inspirational speaker and one is left with admiration that from her own diagnosis and suffering she has raised an organisation which now shouts the message to all women everywhere.

I met Kath through the National Speakers Association of Australia. I've heard her speak and I know something of her story since we are in a speaking group that meets regularly. Some people are extrovert and have 'natural' leadership personalities. Kath doesn't. She does this work out of a desire to have women be better informed. So that her own experience is not repeated.



She is leading because that is what is required. Her leadership style is not flamboyant, it's not charismatic, it's just persistent. She is unstoppable because through her experience she has seen a truth - that women are still uneducated on the subject and intimidated by it. And that significant improvements in awareness can be generated if health professionals and interested women work together. She knows that the path to better health outcomes is more openness. That's why she does what she does. More power to her.

I vote for Kath Mazzella, an incredible woman

I HAVE KNOWN KATH MOST OF HER LIFE AND HER DEDICATION TO THE CAUSE OF WOMEN AND THEIR BODIES ESPECIALLY THE GYNOCOLOGICAL AREAS I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED. HER RELENTLESS COMMITMENT IN TRYING TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO WOMEN HAS NEVER WAVERED. FOT THIS REASON I HAVE NO HESITATION IN VOTING FOR HER

Kath is amazing how she can normalise and desensitise such a difficult issue. She has put Gynaecology on the map for women.



I appreciate the work Kath has done in her lobbying for gyn issues. As a result of her making gyn health more open I was able to detect my own vulval cancer early. And in doing so i believe that Kath helped to save me from major surgery and possibly my life. I therefore believe Kath fully deserves this award.

I truly admire Kath as she is a wonderful inspiration for cancer survivors. Her actions, drive and heart speak louder than her words.

Kath Mazzella is an amazing, brave woman who has endured a very long road to recovery following radical surgery for cancer of the vulva. She has battled long and hard to raise awareness of gynaecological health in the community and she deserves to be recognised for her efforts.



Gynaecological Awareness Information Network, wishes Kath all the very best for her future and good health. Great things coming out of Western Australia indeed.

I first met Kath when she formed GAIN and whilst not involved directly, I know women who have benefitted from the support given and I have kept abreast of her work since that time. Kath's dedication and empathy is well known throughout the broader community, but particularly with those she helps. Her comittment to this cause serves as an inspiration to all those who know her.



Her own experience has given her an amazing insight to the experiences of others and the support and care provided by her and GAIN is beyond what any woman can hope for.

Kath- More people should celebrate your passion and dedication to such a worth while cause. Your efforts may go unrecognised to the majority, but to those who know you and those you have helped, our lives would not be the same without you.

Good luck.

Kath is an amazing woman who informs,educates and empowers women about sexual health. She tirelessly campaigns for increased awareness about gynaecological issues. She is truly inspirational.

I have known Kath for many years and her enthusiasm and dedication to the cause is inspirational. She tirelessly dedicates numerous hours to helping others.

I was introduced to the work of Kath through my wife and was amazed at her tenacity, bravery and positive attitude despite the hardships she has endured. She is an inspiration to both women and men and I believe she thoroughly deserves this award.

I speak for myself and others who have survived and have not survived Vulvar cancer, we appreicate any and all who bring the issues of vulvar cancer out of the darkness and into the light!

Kath is a tireless advocate of women's health particularly when it comes to the highly "taboo" subjects of gynaecological and sexual health. She is thoroughly deserving of this award as I know first-hand how hard she has worked for others, and how profound her own personal battle has been.

Having just met Kath at a one day training module, I can tell you she has a drive way beyond that of her stature. It was easy to recognise her honest passion to give aid and bring awareness to something I never previously been aware of.

I have a mother, I have a wife, and I have a daughter, and would like to think that if ever any of them, or any other woman, is subject to a gynae problem, that it would be treated with the utmost dilligence, care and respect.

Kath Mazzella is reaching out to women to raise awareness that Gynecological cancer is not limited to breast and womb. To keep pursuing this message takes great courage and tenacity. Keep on keeping on, Kath!

Kath is amazing - she is dedicated to bringing into awareness topics we as women hide from ourselves and others. She is so brilliant at talking about such difficult subjects she has both men and women acting to improve the situation, in ways that only someone with true passion and skill can achieve. Wonderful work Kath. It is an honour to know you and support you.
Rachel.
(Award-winning communication specialist and confidence coach for women.)