Friday Update 23rd December 2022 (BCNA Christmas Closure Details)
Friday update 23rd December 2022
Welcome to the last
Friday Update of 2022!
First, I would like
to shout out to all the members of the Online Network who have provided support
to so many others on the forum throughout the year. Myself and my colleagues
are incredibly lucky as moderators to witness first-hand, how the simple act of
conversation and sharing stories can empower someone affected by breast cancer.
BCNA Helpline over Christmas and New Year
As happens every year,
BCNA’s Helpline will be closed for a few days during the Christmas and New Year
break. The BCNA Helpline will be closed between 24 December 2022 and
2 January 2023.
Mez_BCNA and Kate_BCNA will
be moderating the Online Network over the closure period should you need to
send a private message for urgent matters you can include both moderators in your
message.
To send a private message from your laptop/desktop click the envelope next to your profile
picture and click on the highlighted picture below; type in the moderator’s
names in the ‘recipients’. Type the body of your message and hit ‘Post Message’
button.
To send a message from your mobile device you will click on your profile picture and then the envelope will be on the top-right (screenshot below):
To access our extensive array of digital resources during this period, please
visit our website or sign up to My Journey.
If you haven’t been there already, My Journey is where you can find information
and support tailored to your specific needs, including early breast cancer,
DCIS, metastatic breast cancer and survivorship.
We encourage you to stay in touch with your existing
support networks such a family or friends; your GP pr member of your medical
team Additionally, if you need to speak to someone the following services are
available:
Cancer Council 13 11 20 during
this time if you are seeking support about your breast cancer diagnosis. Please
be aware that they are working reduced hours during this time.
Lifeline 13 11 14 is available 24
hours a day 7 days a week
Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 also available 24 hours a day 7 days a week
If you would like to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres
Strait Islander Crisis Supporter, 13YARN is available 24 hours a day
7 days a week on 13 92 76.
Community highlights
Christmas Funnies
In the spirit of Christmas Funnies…
You can check out more of these Christmas posts in the discussion link
below: https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20086/christmas-funnies-put-them-up-here-for-a-laugh/p17
Popular forum discussions
Members new and old
may have missed some of the forum discussions that have received the most
comments in December:
1. Christmas Funnies .......
put them up here for a laugh!
2. New member planning double mastectomy with immediate
reconstruction
3. Insulting and Judgmental
Comments
4. Cooler Sleep - Mattress,
Gel Pad, Sheets
Community News
BCNA News 09 December 2022 – New alert for scam door knockers
It's come to our attention that
people claiming to represent Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and
BreastScreen are knocking on doors in South Australia and asking for donations.
BCNA does not door knock and
these people do not represent our organisation.
Please be alert for scams and
if you believe a person asking for funds at your door is fraudulent, report the
incident to the Scamwatch website.
BCNA News 19 December 2022- Call to improve airport screening
Women wearing a breast prosthesis after a mastectomy are
being insensitively treated during airport security screening, including being
asked to remove their prosthesis. To read the full article please CLICK
LINK
BCNA News 22 December 2022- Call for increased access to subsidised
psychological support
Reducing the number of Medicare-subsidised psychologist appointments
from 20 to 10 a year on 1 January 2023 will negatively impact people with
complex comorbidities such as cancer, say two leading cancer organisations. To read the full article please CLICK
HERE
BCNA’s Field of Women is back at the ‘G’ in 2023!
Save the date for AFL Round 23, on the weekend of
17 - 20 August, when Melbourne takes on Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket
Ground.
The exact date of the 'Stand with me at the 'G'
event will be confirmed in conjunction with the next part of the AFL fixture
release in May, 2023.
Show your support for all Australians affected by
breast cancer and be a part of this iconic event as more than 10,000 people
stand in the shape of BCNA’s Pink Lady on the hallowed turf of the MCG.
To register your interest and sign up click the
following link https://bcna.live/FieldOfWomen2023 to get access to
early bird tickets, offers and priority updates!
Living with cancer and loss at Christmas – Cancer Council
Christmas is often a difficult time for many people who have experienced
a diagnosis of cancer or loss in their life. Check out the Cancer Council Victoria’s
tips to help support you during this time Living
with cancer and loss at Christmas - Cancer Council Victoria (cancervic.org.au)
BCNA Digital Resources (Webcasts/Podcasts/Forums)
To access our extensive array of digital resources during the office closure period,
please visit our website or sign up to My
Journey
Our popular Upfront about Breast Cancer Podcast series: What
you don’t know until you do with Dr Charlotte Tottman reached 50k listens this year. The podcast
series explores a range of topics including diagnosis shock, body image,
emotional isolation and fear of recurrence, drawing on Charlotte’s lived experience
while providing practical strategies to help you during and beyond your cancer
journey.
Rockhampton Information Forum - You
can also watch BCNA's recent face-to-face forum held in Rockhampton QLD: To watch the
on-demand videos of each presentation, please click here.
Books / Movies/ TV Series/ Documentaries
This week’s movie recommendation is a visual delight:
Guillermo del Toro’s
‘Pinocchio
Finally, from everyone at BCNA and the moderating team we hope you have
a safe and happy festive season! See you in 2023 with more Friday Updates.
If you need to speak with someone
regarding any concerns, please call 1800 500 258 alternatively,
you can email contact@bcna.org.au
The mod team – @Mez_BCNA, @Carissa_BCNA, @Jenny_BCNA, @Kate_BCNA, @Pat_BCNA
“It’s not about your presents, but it is about your presence. Therein
lies the spirit of the holiday season” – Julieanne O’Connor
Comments
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Thanks for all this info Mez but I can’t help thinking that changing the online network could have waited till the new year when staff are around again.I’m happy to offer support but it’s like the blind leading the blind over the festive season.Mez,I hope you have a well deserved break and I appreciate all you do.1
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Seasons Greetings to all
Hope the weather is kind and the celebrations enjoyable
Take care
1 -
Thanks for all your help during the year, Mez - and wishing you and all the mods a well deserved break
This is clever!
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