What an incredible year it's been! 🎉🎉🎉
This year, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ marked 25 years of supporting people with breast cancer and their families. We've come so far and while we still have a long way to go, we're making progress towards, one day, achieving our vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.
In the meantime, we've been focused on saving lives through early detection, funding research for improved treatments and outcomes, and supporting patients.
Thank you for your support over the last year, we couldn't do this without you. We're looking forward to having you on board in 2020!
Read our team's highlights for the year below.
With your help, we've been able to...
- Work alongside patients and doctors to push PHARMAC to fund life-extending drugs like Kadcyla, Fulvestrant and CDK4/6 inhibitors.
- Commit $3 million to the operation and expansion of the Breast Cancer Foundation National Register and fund almost $1 million worth of research projects.
- Help nearly 200 women treat their lymphoedema since we started funding lymphoedema therapy in March.
- Launch our Thriving After Breast Cancer programme, to help early breast cancer patients transition to a 'new normal' after cancer treatment.
- Develop a patient management system for a seamless patient contact.
- Train or reach more than 3,000 medical professionals through our education programmes and funding to breast cancer conferences.
- Develop our pilot trial using virtual reality with the aim of helping people with advanced breast cancer manage their symptoms.
STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
WE SHARE SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE MOMENTS OF 2019
Evangelia Henderson,
Chief Executive
"My 2019 highlight has been that our support services have gone from strength to strength this year. Expert advice is within easy reach of people during what can be an overwhelming experience."
Sue, National BCPR Manager
"My 2019 highlight was Northland DHB joining the Breast Cancer Foundation National Register.
This improves our Māori and rural representation on the National Register, which helps us improve equity in patient outcomes."
Kathryn, Breast Nurse Educator
"My 2019 highlight was the connections I’ve made with other nurses working in breast cancer care. It’s important to have a close relationship with those working
face-to-face with our patients
and support development and innovation of breast nursing
in New Zealand."
Adele, Research and Comms Manager
"My 2019 highlight was Dr Fatima Cardoso’s visit to New Zealand. With calm but steely determination, she opened people’s eyes to the need for better care for people with advanced breast cancer."
Kim, Digital Marketing Manager
"My 2019 highlight was launching Pre Check. I love that we now have an awareness app that means we can reach women of all ages with an easy message to check your breasts."
Nicky, Fundraising Campaigns Manager
"My 2019 highlight was the people! Without a doubt. The letters and photos we receive with stories of communities supporting each other, kids that donate their pocket money and all the special ways people look after each other."
Our nurse advice line will be available over the holiday during limited hours, excluding stat days and weekends. Please call 0800 2268 773 or email breastnurse@bcf.org.nz. If our phone line is busy, please leave a message with your name and number (or email address) and our nurses will be in touch.
Our work relies entirely on donations from the New Zealand public. Your support will help us reach more Kiwis with early detection education, and help fund ground-breaking research, innovative education programmes, and vital support for those going through breast cancer.
