🌸 Celebrating the Many Faces of Care👩⚕️
🌸 Care Beyond the Clinical Cancer Nurses Day was recognised on 13 August, and it prompted me to reflect on what it really means to care. Most of us think of care as helping someone in a practical way. Preparing meals, driving to appointments, attending medical consultations, or lending a hand when it's needed. These acts matter deeply. But care is also something more. Care is paying close attention to wellbeing, both our own and that of others. It's noticing when support is needed and responding with compassion, understanding and action. 🌸 At Breast Cancer Network Australia, we've always believed that breast cancer treatment should focus on the person, not just the diagnosis. Every experience is unique, and every individual deserves to feel seen, heard and supported throughout their journey. Care can take many different forms. 💕 👩⚕️ The dedication of a cancer nurse who takes the time to explain, reassure and advocate. 🌿 Access to culturally safe healthcare and support services, regardless of where you live. 💬 Having an honest conversation with family or loved ones about your future care needs, even when it's difficult. 📝 Taking a few minutes to complete a survey that contributes to BCNA's advocacy work and helps shape better outcomes for others. 🏃 Supporting a cause by raising funds or awareness in your community. 🤗 Checking in on a friend who may be going through a challenging time. 💙 Making space to care for yourself when your tank is running low. Care doesn't always come in grand gestures. Often, it's found in the small acts that remind someone they are not alone. As I reflected on Cancer Nurses Day, I realised that care is one of the threads that connects us all across this Online Network. Every story shared, every piece of advice offered, every encouraging comment and every warm welcome contributes to a community built on genuine care. ✨ What has amazing care looked like for you?🙋National Volunteers Week ❤️May 18-24
This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the heart of our community – our incredible volunteers 💗 From our dedicated office volunteers and passionate Consumer Representatives, to our event volunteers, interns, specialist project volunteers, Health Professionals, and the many hands who carefully pack My Care Kits each day – every one of you plays a vital role. Your time, energy, and unwavering commitment make everything we do at BCNA possible. More than that, you bring compassion, connection, and hope to people across Australia who need it most. We are so grateful for the impact you make and the care you share. You truly inspire us every single day. Thank you for being part of this community 💕⭐ Today is an appreciation shout-out to our incredible CR crew! ⭐
Since 2001, BCNA has run the internationally recognised Seat at the Table (SATT) program. The program trains people with a lived experience of breast cancer to become BCNA Consumer Representatives (CRs). Our CRs work with clinicians, researchers, health service providers and policymakers across Australia to make sure consumer voices are at the heart of any decisions. A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the Australian Society for Breast Disease (ASBD) Conference alongside some of our incredible CRs. It was a few days filled with valuable insights, shared knowledge, and plenty of laughter. I came away with a renewed appreciation for how BCNA continues to serve not only our members but the broader community. 🥂 Here’s to our CR’s - your passion, dedication, and tireless efforts are at the heart of everything we do. We simply couldn’t make the impact we do without your commitment to advocating for and supporting those affected by breast cancer. Thank you for being such an essential part of the BCNA community. We’ve just run another intake, and are so proud to be welcome 24 new CR’s to our small but mighty BCNA team. If you’d like to learn more, click here https://www.bcna.org.au/our-impact/for-consumers/seat-at-the-table-program/ or to express your interest for future intakes, send an email to [email protected]Happy Volunteer Week!
Happy National Volunteer Week to everyone who dedicates their time to support people affected by breast cancer. You make BCNA’s impact so much bigger. There are so many to thank. From our office volunteers, Consumer Representatives, event volunteers, interns, specialist project volunteers and those who pack My Care Kits every day, to our Ambassadors, Health Professionals and the BCNA staff who volunteer outside of their paid work: thank you for your tireless work behind the scenes. We simply wouldn't be able to do what we do without the unwavering support, commitment, and passion of every single person who helps us in a voluntary capacity.
Good news and thank you to the network
Dear friends ( that's how I think of you) I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2018. After over 18 months of aggressive treatment - chemo, bilateral mastectomy and radiation, my specialist has sounded the all clear. I know that it could all re-occur but I am clear for now. I wanted to say thank you for all your online help and support over the treatment. Your patience and understanding with all my questions has been an enormous help. Just a big thank you. Keep up the good work. Judy
