VMC Scholarship winners jet-set for advanced cancer research

The 2010 Virtual Medical Centre Lund University Scholarship has been awarded to two exemplary medical students, who will now continue the successful program in a four-week attachment in cancer medicine.

University of Western Australia (UWA) fifth year students Kelly Valentin and Charlotte Connor will experience Lund University’s Faculty of Medicine, one of the most esteemed facilities in Europe. The Faculty is renowned for research into cancer medicine, as well as advanced research in healthcare by social interaction and industrial application of its findings.

Kelly said her interest in oncology stems from not only her medical studies but from knowing some cancer sufferers who have lived comfortably, and some who have not.

"So I’m interested in ongoing research into cancer care and how to better the lives and quality of life of cancer patients," she said.

"New advances have made me very interested, in terms of improving treatments, ensuring minimal suffering and optimal survival.

"And I’ve always been passionate about broadening my knowledge of medical management."

Kelly said she feels privileged to be given the opportunity to visit the Lund facility and thinks it will be an incredible experience.

"I know they’re very focused on medical research and broadening the research field in oncology; they’re one of the top universities in Europe," she said.

"They’re a really good body for focusing in on cancer care and they’ve had a lot of research projects happening there."

Both Kelly and Charlotte were granted up to $3,000 to fund their airfares and accommodation.

Professor Håken Olsson, from the Oncology Department at Lund University, initially founded the exchange program, but students were burdened with the cost of the visit. Virtual Cancer Centre proposed the scholarship, approved by UWA, to make the program accessible to all students.

"This allows people to do something they wouldn’t usually be able to do, especially university students," Kelly said.

"I think being given the opportunity to spend four weeks in a different country, learning and experiencing the culture, is a privileged opportunity.

"The financial support as well as being able to go to a university that’s so highly regarded is really helpful. And the scholarship is the only way I would have personally been able to go. So I’m very grateful to VMC, UWA and Lund for the opportunity, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to do it – as well as many others in the same situation as me."