Hello everyone,
Welcome to our Friday update and a warm welcome to all of our new members who have joined us this month.
Farewell to Marianne
It is with much sadness and excitement that we farewell Marianne, Manager Member Services team at BCNA. Marianne has been responsible for the helpline and online network and during her time at BCNA has made significant developments in both services. I thank Marianne for all her support and encouragement over the last two years. Marianne has taken on a position back in the world of IVF which she is very passionate about. It’s been such a pleasure working together and we wish Marianne all the best in her new role. With Marianne’s departure, there will be no disruption to the helpline or online community services.
Planning for
Christmas & New Year
We are currently in the process of planning for Christmas & New Year to ensure that our online community members remain supported during this time. We will be in touch shortly with further information regarding moderation and some useful contacts that will be available during this time.
Community Highlights
Thread commenced by @Klp who was recently diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and has a baby as well as a small 6 year old. Understandably it’s a tough time and you are finding it hard to cope. I can see that our members have provided amazing peer support and I do hope that you are being provided with the information and support that you need at this point in time. Wishing you well with your upcoming treatment @Klp.
I loved this response from @Temple
@Klp here’s the cutie keeping me distracted and happy when I’m at my worst with fear. Like me, he loves a nap and has been taught well. I wonder if oncology realise the truly awful impact of wait times after diagnosis. I’ve found it an evil Ground Hog Day experience. Along with this pic I’m sending you hugs and affirmation while wishing the best outcomes for you.
2. Im not hideously disfigured...
Thread commenced by @jamavon who had a recent mastectomy and has been too scared to look at herself in the mirror.
@jamavon ‘Finally worked up the courage today. I am ok, surprised myself....still me. Next step check up on Tuesday. Then more waiting to see if I need further treatment. I really want a bra now, but will wait till I'm less tender. My husband loves me, my teen boys laugh with me. Learning to love and accept the new me.’
@Blessed72 ‘@Jamavon, thanks for sharing this. It’s just what I needed to hear. I am due for right breast mastectomy this coming Wednesday and I was mentally crippled by the thought of having one boob.’
This thread was commenced in September as is asking for our community member’s birthdays. Following on from the amazing birthday list that was started by @socoda, we decided to continue the birthday listing by calling out to all our members to let us know your birthday.
I wanted to thank @iserbrown for taking on the role of posting all of the upcoming birthdays. You have done an amazing job and we appreciate all your efforts in maintaining the birthday listing! I hope all our members are enjoying their virtual cake and flowers! It’s a lovely way to keep our members connected and engaged and important to celebrate our special days!
Community News
Personal Identifiable Information
Personal
Identifiable Information (PII) is information that can be used on its own or
with other information to identify, contact, or locate a person. This includes
information such as first and last name, emails, addresses, phone numbers, and
also potentially links to other websites where such information is
revealed. A great deal of personal information can be revealed in a simple
post and most of the discussions in the Online Network (unless they take place
in a private group) can be publically viewed.
It's important to protect PII for a number of
reasons mostly around safety and security, but it's important to note that this
is included in Australia's Privacy Act 1988. BCNA have a legal responsibility
to protect our members as well as we can.
We therefore require you do not use your real
name or email address as your online username. When it comes to the use of
first and last names for user names, there is a difference between using Wendy and Wendy
Stolz (real name). The first doesn't tell you much about the user. It may not
even be her real name. But the first and last name together is too much information,
especially a surname like this which is not bound to be common.
We also ask that you don’t sign off on your
posts using your real name. Your
username is beside your post and that is your ‘name’ while in the online forum. Thanks everyone we take your privacy very
seriously!
Only 9 more sleeps until the Carmen’s Women’s Fun Run in Melbourne!
I hope you can join me and the BCNA team at this year’s Carmen’s Women’s fun run or walk at the Catani Gardens on Sunday 1 December 2019. To register
This week’s reflective quote
‘It always seems impossible until it's done.’
Nelson Mandela
Hoping you have a relaxing weekend everyone,
Regards Giovanna and the moderation team.
