Breast friends are vital when you’re diagnosed with breast cancer
Many people have told us that your whole world is turned
upside down when you find out you have breast cancer, and it’s at that moment
your support network becomes really important to you. Many people have also
told us they were surprised and moved by the people who stepped up and provided
real support. Those people who were there for you through the hardest times
become your ‘breast friends’.
This is the theme of this year’s annual Pink Bun campaign
and we’re
asking you to call out your group of ‘breast friends’ who supported you during
your breast cancer journey.
If you go into a Bakers Delight store between now and 29 May you
will see posters of breast cancer survivors posing with their tee-shirts off,
each holding a different shaped bun or roll over their breasts. These images
serve to remind us that support can come in all shapes and sizes.
This year, the Pink Buns being baked across the country will be
smaller, fun-sized buns. From 2 to 15 May, 100 per cent of the sale of Pink Fun
Buns will be donated to BCNA. Following this, $1 from every six-pack of healthy
rolls purchased will be donated to BCNA from 16 to 29 May.
You can support the campaign by visiting your local Bakers Delight
between 2 to 29 May and buying Pink Fun Buns and six-packs of rolls. You can
also show your support by buying a ‘breast friends’ carry bag or leaving a
message of support on a Pink Lady silhouette in-store.
For those who would like to thank their own group
of ‘breasties’ make sure you post a photo on social
media using the hashtag #breastfriends and tag your amazing support network.
BCNA would like to thank our breast friend, Bakers Delight, for
their support over the past 19 years. With the funds raised from Bakers
Delight’s annual Pink Bun campaign, BCNA can continue supporting everyone
affected by breast cancer from the moment their world is turned upside down.
Thank you Bakers Delight – we couldn’t do what we do without you.
Kirsten Pilatti
CEO Breast Cancer Network Australia
Comments
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I had a few mentors who were there for me even before the actual diagnosis was delivered- that ‘in between phase’ of ‘no mans land’ ... all had had breast cancer. There was Michelle, a fishing buddy who’s husband had died of colon cancer and then she diagnosed with BC. Post radiation she was diagnosed with lung cancer (found by accident as they were checking her thyroid cancer ...) so she had early surgery on both and is now travelling Aussie, fishing her way around our country, NED. Debbie, a nurse from Qld, now 5 years BC free. She was wonderful and gave me gels and a ‘guardian angel token’ as a support (which was lost during my radiation this time last year.) Lynne from UK who had surgery 15 years ago with immediate recon.... a lovely lady who listened to my worries and calmed me down. Jilly from Zimbabwe who reckons she had the best treatment EVER! Then sadly had liver cancer 2 years ago, 12 years post BC diagnosis ... and more chemo and now NED (thank God!).
Anyone of us with good buddies who’ve helped us through BC ... are just SO lucky to have had that support .... and that was BEFORE joining BCNA!!!
take care xxxx2 -
This campaign has so missed the mark with many bc survivors.4
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jan61 - what are your concerns? I find the campaign a bit 'twee' but tapping into the 'universal' is always a challenge. I'm interested in your opinion.
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@Beryl C. it's far from being twee for me. I feel this has trivialised breast cancer... reduced it to some old joke of " pink fun buns " ......... when women ( and men ) have worked hard to get past being a ' pink fun bun ' for some one else's entertainment.This is purely entertainment for the masses. It doesn't recognise the debilitating surgeries, the cost, the mental health issues... in fact it flicks them all off to the side. The total lack of diversity is also a blaring problem. Only white people get breast cancer? Where does it recognise that breast cancer doesn't miss any race or gender?
and then this morning I see at least two women have left support groups on facebook that I am in... it is non supportive to be so polarising.6 -
I think my best Breast friends, for me, are on this forum
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Blossom1961 totally agree with you....
On this forum
I have people who get me
they get the panic when you find a lump
or a pain that is constant which needs tests to check it out
as after diagnosis there is always a sh*tty little thought at the back of your mind " is it back" when these things happen.
Only those who have been through BC understand the fear of that wait for tests and results in those situations.
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Good one, @Blossom1961
We all have our support groups - some are friends, some are family & on BCNA, are those who 'get it'.
I have only been encouraged & supported, particularly by those who've 'been there' before me ...... without them, I'd have been lost - and that was even before I found BCNA, who have been every bit as supportive!
The pink buns etc are a means to an end - I've never heard of 'pink fun buns' - please explain, @jan61.
It all provides funds to research all the various breast cancers of all genders & races.
Any research is good research.
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Arpie the finger buns are smaller versions and been called Pink Fun Buns1
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Never heard of it!0
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I do think ladies that in all fairness to every Member on the Forum, you have to allow for personal interpretation to the campaign. Just as our individual paths have been vast and wide, we have to honor and be all inclusive. Some will like the campaign and some will not and find it not reflective in anyway and possibly feel trivialized....lets honor and respect everyone! There's no right or wrong.
The Forum and its support is not questioned at all...it's a great place to share experiences and seek support...Ive given enormous support over the years and have a few good friends through here also.
Let's be inclusive to everyone because isnt that what the Forum is meant to be about?12 -
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@Annie C thank you, I just think everyone is entitled to an opinion and this campaign absolutely will not be suited to or for everyone. I do think if anyone is entitled to one, it's definitely somebody who has been through it and their own personal experience and reflection, it's not about the public. Its easy for it to get off topic too, it's not about the fundraising either...merely the campaign. x3
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Whether the campaign does it for you or not, it's a big fundraiser. Different strokes for different folks as @melclarity has said. And I congratulate the women who have been brave enough to put their bodies and scars on display to show what they, and we, live with. Of course, we are all different and so are the physical scars we bear from this and your body may not match up with the one on the poster. These women volunteered for this gig and it's very personal challenges, so it's not as if there was a huge pool of cultural and scar diversity to draw on. Personally, I dislike the pink wash over everything but I accept that at the moment, it's wedged firmly in the public psyche and opens the purse strings. I also wonder about pushing the sugar aspect (as I reach for another sweet treat to get me through the day). But I'm not going to say no to the money that enables this organisation, and this forum that has saved my sanity, to run. And I'm not going to say no to the images that, hopefully, will enable more acceptance of what we have been through, and what we are under the clothing and prosthetics. Bees and honey, guys.
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