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

39 Replies

iserbrown
Member
6 years ago
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All good!
Sam09
Member
6 years ago
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iserbrown
again I reiterate I’m not at all shitty ....
all good no worries.......😊
Kattykit
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6 years ago
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@Sam09, I've got stage 4 as well, everyone reacts differently, my family were all oh no poor mum, then when I didnt fall off the perch in the next few months it was business as usual, which is actually mostly fine with me because I really didn't like the sad eyes I got from everyone at first. I'm not a join a group type of person, I've thought about it but I got the feeling it would be sort of like what you encountered, all doom and gloom and preparing for the worst, talking about wills and power of attorney blah blah, etc, so not into that so I started going to the local bingo, I get to hang out with people my age and talk about all sorts of things, we talk about the aches and pains and all the assorted crap associated with getting older but we're not focused on my cancer and dying but our kids and grandkids and just general every day stuff which works so much better for me. We are all different though and this forum is a great place to come to for reassurance and support for those of us that are struggling or don't have support at home or don't want to burden their families with their concerns because a lot of times our family and friends cope even worse than we do and everyone here gets that and has our backs.
iserbrown
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6 years ago
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Dear oh dear @Sam09
I know you are positive and thanks @Blossom1961 for backing up my intent!
We as the collective are here to support. The other group you spoke of, I too would've walked

Perhaps read my post again and why would I tell you to whistle your favourite tune? Something that I suggested long ago and you appreciated

Sorry you feel so shitty but do not take it out on us who have everyone's best interest at heart

Goodness me!
Blossom1961
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6 years ago
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@Sam09 I think @iserbrown was actually saying that the other support group you were In wasn’t positive but that you are and she is happy to support you.
Sam09
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6 years ago
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Sorry .... iserbrown you missed the plot here with my post totally. I am the most positive person in the world. The point of my post was to say not always are support groups supportive in the right way and the one I joined was the opposite. Seriously I put one post on and your negativity and missing the plot is exactly why I don’t look this online forum up any more. wow talk about read something into my post that wasn’t there 🙄
iserbrown
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6 years ago
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Hi @Sam09
Dear oh dear! Well meaning but.........
Positivity is the key!
Regardless when you need a boost like minded are here to help!
Onwards and upwards!
Oh yeah and whistle your favourite tune as a distraction
Take care and best wishes with ongoing treatment
Hugs x
Sam09
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6 years ago
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I haven’t been on this forum for a very long time and read this post with interest. I joined a support group early last year an advanced breast cancer group after a rather weird interview process of three times before being told I was accepted despite having metastatic breast cancer. Lucky me .....I needed support and kind words of encouragement as I have a family that are non supportive not meaning to be they are kind of over it really and aren’t into it in the beginning or the novelty wore off. Ha not for me. So I saw this Advanced Breast Cancer group with weekly SUPPORT teleconferences and my ears pricked up finally some support others who just may get it and understand. oh wow how wrong I was. It totally did my head in and others expressed the same to me I finally made the move and left expressing the reasons and it didn’t go down very well but I told the truth. It was a group for gifting memory boxes and start packing them for the setting sun you were about to never see. One session I was asked how I was and after expressing I had been dizzy I was informed literally brain mets were common in my dire situation and to have a mri. I spent that entire night frozen with fear and my oncologist organised an immediate MRI I spent two whole weeks sick with fear and when my dear doctor rang burst into uncontrollable tears on her announcement my brain was perfectly fine.It turned out it was the antihistamines I had been taking for a skin reaction to a drug I was on. I knew then the depressing discussions about we had all had it and who had just bitten the bullet and had their last sunset was more detrimental to my health than support. Since one of the other members and I left the group we’ve both been a thousand times happier and healthier. It did our heads in. I would like some support but in a positive happy way because with the wonderful drugs we have these days and our ability to be healthy as we can to fight it we are all defying odds and living longer maybe even able to be that 1 lucky percent that beats stage four cancer in the world. I hope it’s me and each and everyone that has the same on here. And no one has the right to make you feel your doomed with this diagnosis. If we are told we are we may as well be. A support group should be just that. I know ladies encouragement and positivity is just what we need not people who are funded and believe they help us along to our fate and believe accepting it is supportive. Ahhhhhh not on in my opinion ......
arpie
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6 years ago
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Just saw (part of) the advert on Channel 9 for the first time!! Well done girls! You ROCK!!
Emma17
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6 years ago
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I'm put off by the suggestion of 'fun' in relation to breast cancer. The 'fun' part bypassed me, it must have flown right over my head.