2009 - Counterpart

Recipes for Living: Saturday 14th November – A forum for women living with a gynaecological cancer in Frankston

BreaCan is hosting a FREE forum for women who have been diagnosed with breast or a gynaecological cancer. The forum will provide information and is also a wonderful chance to talk and meet with other women with similar experiences.

The forum will be held on:

Saturday 14th November, 2009

9.30 am – 3.30pm (Lunch included)

At Best Western Frankston International,

389 Nepean Highway, Frankston

There are at least three (and many more) good reasons to come along:

– Maria Ftanou, Psychologist from Peter MacCallum will be the guest speaker and will talk about how to find the ‘new normal’ after a cancer diagnosis.

– You will have the opportunity to connect with other women from your local area.

– You can be apart of an enjoyable and therapuetic workshop, maybe art therapy or a dance workshop.

Registrations are essential – please contact BreaCan on 1300 781 500 or email [email protected]

Young Women Talking – 24 October 09

BreaCan will be conducting a forum on Saturday 24 October for women aged 45 and under. The forum will be an opportunity for young women with breast and gynaecological cancers to meet and connect with other young women as well listen to some interesting speakers on the challenges of living with cancer as a young woman.

BreaCan Extends Opening Hours

Women often tell us that they would love to visit BreaCan, but find it difficult due to work or family commitments that prevent them from coming in during the day. From August 2009 to March 2010 (except January), the BreaCan Resource Centre will be open the first Thursday of every month from 5.00pm until 7.30pm. Whilst the continuation of the later opening hours is dependent on demand, we hope that the option of visiting BreaCan in the evening will meet the needs of many women, their partners, family and friends. We would welcome the opportunity to meet you – come and chat with volunteers and staff and have a look through our resources.
The dates of the extended opening hours are:

August 6
September 3 (join us for wine and cheese; BreaCan open until 8pm)
October 1
November 5
December 3
February 4
March 4

Young Women’s Forum – 24th October 2009

BreaCan will be conducting a Young Women’s Forum on Saturday 24 October. The forum will be an opportunity for young women with breast and gynaecological cancers to meet and connect with other young women as well listen to some interesting speakers on the challenges of living with cancer as a young woman. There will be some relaxing and therapeutic sessions – maybe art, dance and more so put the date in your diaries. More details to follow.

Camp Quality and BreaCan work together

In March 2009, Camp Quality a national organisation that provides recreational activities for children with cancer, approached BreaCan about working in partnership to provide a pilot program of activities to the families of women who have had cancer. This was a fantastic opportunity to offer a weekend away to a small number of BreaCan families, facilitated by the wonderful Camp Quality volunteers.

The weekend was held in Hepburn Springs, north-west of Melbourne, late in April 2009. Even though the weather was chilly, the families who attended had a great time: the children were well entertained; the partners had an opportunity to relax while the mums talked and laughed while being pampered. It gave the families an opportunity to spend a fun filled weekend together without having to think about the normal domestic chores that occupy most families.

Camp Quality is currently reviewing the scope of its role so this initiative was very timely. We thank Camp Quality for this unique opportunity.

Camp Quality leader John, with one of the many families who enjoyed their weekend away

Key Centre for Women’s Health

BreaCan is excited to be one of a number of partners collaborating with the Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society (KCWHS) in a research project about the infertility issues confronting young women diagnosed with breast cancer. In April part funding for the project was granted from the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust. Further funding is currently being sought from other sources.

[email protected]