Letter CEO FROM THE
O n Sunday 20 August at the MCG, as thousands of people affected by breast in our network. That iconic image of the Pink Lady is such a poignant symbol of the power of BCNA’s voice and demonstrates the connection and platform that we provide all those affected by breast cancer. Walking through the Mini-Field of Women outside the MCG, amongst the 3,500 Pink Lady silhouettes, I greeted families I met in 2006 when I began at BCNA alongside those who recently connected to the network. Our founder Lyn Swinburne spoke about how 25 years ago there was no real support for people diagnosed with breast cancer, which was why she founded BCNA. Hearing how grateful Lyn was that we are continuing to live out the dream she had was a powerful moment. Building on her intention of being the voice for those affected by breast cancer will be something we always carry through as an organisation, especially as we become even more active in influencing the health care system. On that note, we were proud to take our voice to Canberra in August for BCNA’s Making Metastatic Breast Cancer Count Roundtable with key cancer stood together on a sunny Melbourne day for Field of Women, I took pause to feel truly proud and reflect on the strength policymakers, cancer organisations, and health and data experts to advocate for a national cancer registry. Those living with metastatic breast cancer in Australia are not consistently counted – if you are not counted, you are not seen by the health service providers and policymakers who plan cancer services and support. At the core of what we do is bringing the right people together to find solutions. The next day we held a breakfast panel discussion with the Parliamentary Friends of Women’s Health at Parliament House. Read more from BCNA Consumer Representative Lisa Tobin, who shares her experience living with metastatic breast cancer and what being counted means on pages 12 and 13. October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this year’s theme ‘Living Well, Your Way’ is reflected in this edition through powerful personal stories. Our member Carla speaks of her experience with mental health and Kate shares her decade wait for a breast reconstruction, while Grace discusses her decision to remain flat after a mastectomy and Paul relays his journey with metastatic breast cancer.
Coming back to that idea of sharing our voice, we’d love to hear yours! Please keep an eye on your inbox, as we will be sharing the BCNA member survey. This is designed to help us better understand how you use and interact with our services and resources. Your responses will help to ensure we continue to deliver the best quality information and support. We also know that when people are consulted and engaged in decisions that affect them, outcomes improve significantly. For this reason, BCNA supports First Peoples having a considered and permanent voice on decisions that impact them. Our Board has made a statement in support of the Voice referendum which can be found via the link below. You may have noticed a new look and feel to our website ( bcna.org.au ). While things may not be where you’re used to finding them, we’ve modernised our services and support to make your experience easier and more intuitive moving forward. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Helpline with any questions. Enjoy this edition, which I believe really highlights the strength, connection, and incredible personal stories that exist within our network. Our 25th year is a milestone we are proud of and an opportunity to reflect on how much we have achieved – while also appreciating the incredible community we continue to build. Thank you for your continued support and please remember to reach out – we are always here.
Kirsten Pilatti Chief Executive Officer
To find out more about BCNA’s position in support of a First People’s Voice, please click here
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bcna.org.au
Issue 96 | October 2023
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