🧑🤝🧑REAL MEMBER STORY: How our Online Network helped Catherine
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Catherine for her generous and courageous decision to share her story with our community. By opening up about her experience and the role the Online Network played during her breast cancer diagnosis, she offers comfort, connection, and hope to others navigating their own paths. We’re deeply grateful for her willingness to reflect, give back, and remind us all of the strength that comes from supporting one another. 👉 Read Catherine's Story Here ✨🏃♀️🏃♂️ Join the Can Walk Can Run Program – Melbourne & Sydney
Members of our network are invited to take part in a University of Melbourne research study exploring the Can Walk Can Run program - a codesigned, community‑based walking and running initiative for people affected by cancer. This program offers inclusive, fun, non‑judgmental group walking and running sessions. People living with and beyond cancer - along with their friends and family - are welcome to join as many sessions as they like - including those that have already started! 📍Heffron Park, Maroubra (Sydney) – from 4 March 📍Studley Park, Kew (Melbourne) – from 16 March 📍Princes Park, Carlton (Melbourne) – from 6 April To learn more or register, please visit: www.canwalkcanrunprogram.com Who can join? You’re eligible if you: ✔ are over 18 ✔ have a lived experience of cancer ✔ can walk independently (Current trials are available only in Sydney and Melbourne.) If you’re unsure whether the program is suitable for you, the lead researcher, Chris Swain, is happy to discuss: christopher.swain@unimelb.edu.au Sessions include: • Welcome and introduction • Group warm‑up with simple strength exercises • Walking and/or running activities tailored to your ability A six‑week walking, jogging, or running plan is also available for those unable to attend in person. For questions about participation, you can also contact BCNA’s Consumer Engagement team at livedexperience@bcna.org.au.🗣️ Invitation to share your voice: Understanding Cancer Related Stigma Through Lived Experience
BCNA’s Consumer Engagement team is inviting members of our Online Network to share their experiences of stigma and shame following a cancer diagnosis. Cancer related stigma is not only about visible changes. It can be social, cultural, emotional, and systemic. It can affect how people see themselves, how others respond to them, and how safe they feel seeking care or support. These experiences are often deeply personal, and they can vary widely across communities, cultures, and healthcare settings. 🌏 Why your perspective matters In June, a BCNA trained Consumer Representative will be presenting at the Multinational Association of Supportive Cancer Care Australia Conference. This presentation will bring consumer voices into an international conversation about whole person care, supportive care, and the importance of patient partnership in addressing stigma. To ensure this presentation truly reflects the diversity of experiences across Australia, we are gathering insights from our broader network of members. 📝 Take part in the survey By completing this short survey, you will help shape the content of the presentation and strengthen the messages shared with clinicians, program leaders, policy makers, and researchers. Your voice will help ensure lived experience remains central to conversations about stigma, care, and support. 👉 Take the survey here 🗓️ The survey closes on Friday 8 May 2026 📩 If you have any questions, please contact satt@bcna.org.au Thank you for considering sharing your experience and helping amplify the voices of people affected by cancer.🍎Help shape a new nutrition resource after cancer treatment
A new research study called Survivorship Bites is inviting people with a lived experience of cancer, as well as carers, to take part in co‑designing a nutrition resource for people living with and beyond cancer. This study aims to create practical, evidence‑based information to support eating and drinking well after cancer treatment. Participant experiences and ideas will help guide the development of this new resource. 👥 Who can take part? People aged 18 years and over Victorian residents Those with lived experience of cancer within the past 10 years, or carers for someone who does 💬 What’s involved? Up to four online workshops via Microsoft Teams Each session runs for around 1.5 to 2 hours One short online survey Gift vouchers are provided to thank participants for their time 📅 Important dates Expressions of interest close 14 April 2026 If this sounds like something of interest, members are encouraged to express interest via the link or QR code provided below. Your voice can help shape meaningful support for people after cancer treatment 💛 For more information please contact Project Officer: Kirsty Rowan Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Phone: (03) 8559 5220 Email: mailto:Kirsty.rowan@petermac.org
