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kiwigirl's avatar
kiwigirl
Member
14 years ago

Support for young women

Breast Cancer Support in Auckland (NZ) provides peer support for women diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently exploring ways of improving its services to younger women. I'd be very interested in ideas and feedback from young women involved in this network about the sorts of support that work for them -- whether it is online social networks, coffee groups, excercise-based social groups, information seminars, or whatever. If you were designing a peer support programme for young women with breast cancer, what would it involve? Thanks for giving this some thought -- I look forward to getting some inspiring suggestions!

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  • kiwigirl's avatar
    kiwigirl
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks Jo -- far from being no help at all, this is very helpful!  We are planning a focus group day to get some of our young 'uns together to discuss what they want -- basically what you've suggested, with a bit of something thrown in to pamper them and have some fun. But what has worked for you definitely adds value! Thank you!

     

  • Jo_L_'s avatar
    Jo_L_
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Kiwigirl

    Our group started for younger women 2004 we have been involved in water exercises (short lived) over the summer, pub nights, BCNA minifields, local functions, cancer concil activities, relay for life, coffee meetings, guest speakers, pamper days and invites to any other local BC stuff that is on. I have found the needs of the group will change over time. Each year or 2nd year we send out a questionaire to ask what it is that they need. We cant fulfil everyones wishes but we do try to support the majority. As the group has got 'older' there was a need for young mums to have a break away group of their own. we have contact with all other groups in the area including our dragons abreast group and have social activities with them as well. Our group has about 120 on the newsletter list ( mostly email approx 20 hard copy) and each meeting thereare12-18 always someone new so... we have newbies, people undergoing treatment, post treatment and some of the originals2004 still. Women come whenever they feel to not many every month though :)

    So think about what your area already has, and may be get a group together and ask what they would like?

    Probably been NO HELP at all but be flexible have fun laugh cry and hug x Cheers Jo