đąWednesday Wellness - 18Feb26 - Mindfulnessđą
Midweek can sometimes feel like a blur - meetings, messages, tasks, toâdos and on top of that healthcare appointments, medications to remember and a family that still needs you. This Wednesday Wellness check in is intentionally kept very simple. Today, letâs just pause for a small but meaningful reset. Mindfulness isnât about clearing your mind or achieving perfect calm. Itâs simply the practice of noticing - your breath, your body, your surroundings, and your feelings - without judgment. Itâs giving yourself permission to be here, just as you are, and a reminder that wherever you are right now is enough. And all you need is 1 minute of uninterrupted me-time. Even just a minute of presence oftens creates just enough space to feel grounded again (give it 5 or even 10 minutes if you can!). ⨠Try this 60âsecond pause: Sit comfortably. Inhale slowly for a count of four. Exhale for a count of six. Let your shoulders soften. Notice one thing you can see, one thing you can hear, and one thing you can feel. As you move through the rest of your Wednesday and week ahead, carry this reminder: You donât need big changes to feel better - sometimes all it takes is a mindful moment ⨠Wishing you all clarity, calm, and kindness as you move through this phase of your journey. â¤ď¸â¨Wednesday Wellness Check-In
It's time for a Wednesday Wellness check in... đ¸ WELCOME TO SPRING! Itâs been a chilly winter, hasnât it? The kind that makes you want to stay wrapped in a blanket with a warm cuppa. But with spring just around the corner, weâre starting to feel those little hints of warmth and light â and itâs giving us something to look forward to đ¸ Today, weâre checking in on wellness â whatever that looks like for you right now. Maybe itâs a moment of peace, a good laugh, a walk in the sun, or just getting through the day. Big or small, it all counts. đ CARMEN'S FUN RUN Are you in Sydney and looking for some fun in the sun? Following its overwhelming success in Melbourne, Carmanâs Fun Run is launching its inaugural Sydney event on Sunday 21 September 2025. In collaboration with Sole Motive and Carmanâs Kitchen, we invite you to join us for an unforgettable, pink-filled day at Metcalfe Park, Pyrmont. Walk, jog or run 5km, 10km or 21.1km and make it count by raising funds to help Australians affected by breast cancer. Secure your spot now and help us turn the Harbour City PINK! Read more and register via the link Carmanâs Fun Run 2025 - Sydney đť NETWORK ACCESS UPDATE We know there have been some glitches lately on this Online Network, and we just wanted to say a big thank you for hanging in there with us. We really appreciate your patience while we work through these technical issues â we know how important this space is for connection and support. Our team is on it and doing everything we can to get things back to normal as soon as possible. Weâll keep you posted with any updates, and in the meantime, if youâre having trouble or need a hand, please reach out â weâre here to help đ Thanks again for your understanding and kindness â it means so much to us and to this amazing community. If youâre just joining us, we encourage you to explore the forums Get started here introduce yourself, or simply read along. And if youâve been with us for a while, thank you for continuing to support others. Warmly, BCNA ModsMy Journey - (new) article 'Managing Stress & Mindfulness'
Hi members, My Journey has a new article you may be interested to read and share (I admit I have a very keen interest and passion in the management of stress, particularly to empower people to develop their own toolkit of strategies). BCNA are looking at diving into this topic further next year so watch this space. https://myjourney.org.au/article/3518
Breast Reconstruction Awareness event - Tamworth
The Reclaim Your Curves team visited Tamworth this week to present a Breast Reconstruction Awareness event. With surgeons presenting information about various reconstructions methods, local women sharing their personal stories and organisations displaying information, it was an evening that has helped people feel informed and empowered. Thank you to our BCNA members of the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group - Louise, Anne and Annmaree - for their help and support to ensure the event was a success.
Cancer Council Webcast on "How do I deal with the 'stuff' people say?''
This was a webcast last week that i missed - on "How do I deal with the 'stuff' people say?" ..... I haven't watched it myself yet, but should be interesting!! To log in, you just need to sign in with your email address. https://login.redbackconferencing.com.au/landers/page/dadbe6Reclaim Your Curves - Central Coast Support Lunch 11 November 2018
Our final lunch for 2018 is based around the topic of "Well-being after breast cancer surgery" and we have some fabulous guest speakers including: Kate from Lymphatic Solutions - she is passionate about recovery after breast cancer Merryn from Soul Safaris - focusing on mindfulness and meditation to help emotional recovery When: Sunday, 11th November at 12 midday Where: The Bamboo Buddha cafĂŠ - 221 Wattle Tree Rd, Holgate Anyone is welcome to attend, including from other areas such as Sydney and Newcastle. It's essential to RSVP so we can save you a seat at the table. Please see the attached flyer for more detailed information. Look forward to seeing you there! Alison xxCentral Coast Support Lunch
Our first Central Coast Support Lunch for 2018 is coming up next month and we'd love to see you there. Tia Covi, from the CoastCanCare Wellness Program will be coming along to share the details of the 2018 FREE activity program which include Tai Chi, Art Therapy and Relaxation just to name a few. It's also a great chance to meet other women who have had similar experiences to you. DATE: Sunday, 11th February 2018 TIME: 12.30pm VENUE: Cheeky Charlies Cafe, Fountain Plaza - Erina. Please ensure you RSVP so we can book you a seat at the table - we look forward to seeing you.Central Coast Support Group
The Central Coast Support group enjoyed a lovely lunch together today in the beautiful setting of the Japanese Gardens. Carol was our guest speaker from Encore, a wonderful free 8 week program specifically designed for women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. She also shared how important it is to include some time each day for yourself, no matter how small and simple that time may be. If I may quote her words for mindful living: "May I be kind to myself in this moment. May I accept this moment exactly as it is. May I accept myself exactly as I am at this moment. May I give myself all the compassion I need."
Friday Update!
A big hello to everyone. Welcome to the Friday Update. This week we have 16 new members. Please welcome @majo, @sowelu, @elaineg and all our new members. Community highlights This week in the online network we have seen birthdays celebrations, achievements and special occasions. A big shout-out to @socoda who has been right on top of our members birthdays and has created so much happiness online. Another special shout-out to @InkPetal. Her creative talent has been shared in a book launched by St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane titled "Companion". The mindfulness coloring book for woman with breast cancer also contains words of encouragement from other breast cancer patients. Congratulations! (image: St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane Facebook page) Here are some conversations you may have missed this week: @Wendy h 67 Roller coaster ride @Chabrittson Radiation and sore breast like mastitis @Gerryb Sleeping with your partner News & events A big congratulations to BCNA founder Lyn Swinburne who last night won the Social Enterprise & Not-For-Profit category in the Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence awards! We are very proud of all you have done for Australians affected by breast cancer, Lyn! Cancer Australia clinical practice guidelines to drive better experience for breast cancer - Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) welcomes the release of the https://thestatement.canceraustralia.gov.au/ Cancer Australia Statement - influencing best practice in breast cancer that aims to identify and influence best practice in breast cancer treatment and care across Australia. To read more click here. Berlei launches new mastectomy bra - Breast Cancer Network Australia is thrilled that Berlei has launched a new range of bras for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In tribute to Chrissy Amphlett, front singer of the Divinyls who died of breast cancer in 2013, Berlei has joined forces with J Walter Thompson creative agency to launch the Chrissy bra. To read more click here. BreaCan - BreaCan conducts free information sessions on a regular basis. The information sessions are a great way to access information and connect with others in a similar situation. Information sessions are coordinated by BreaCan staff and involve medical, allied health and other specialists, including creative therapists. Click here to see what information sessions are available. Inspired Adventures - Our Inspired Adventures campaign is heating up for 2017 with Tuscany and Larapinta both full, but we have one last trip to tempt you. Iconic. Formidable. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the WorldâŚand weâre going there! Join us at the world famous Grand Canyon in October 2017 for an experience you will never forget. You will push yourself as you hike to the rim of the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, explore Havasupai, crossing tropical streams, clamber up side canyons with red rock walls, and perhaps swim beside a 200 ft. waterfall. After the trekking is done, immerse yourself in the vibrant hub that is Las Vegas! Find out more here. Dine Pink - This week South Bank, Brisbaneâ restaurants and bars are participating in dine pink and donating proceeds from special meals, drinks and tables to BCNA. A big thank-you to everyone participating. Health and wellness tip Far out brussel sprout! You either love them or hate them. But developing a love of these green little bundles and other green vegetables from the same cruciferous/brassica family has its benefits. These little cabbage like bundles are jammed packed full of beneficial vitamins and minerals. Including the mighty sprout in your diet may help improve immune system function, reduce tiredness and fatigue, improve bone and joint health and they can have fantastic anti-inflammatory properties. Have a lovely weekend everyone, Ann-Marie xx
