2023 impact report from the last 12 months of activity of BCNA and its community.
Your 2023 Impact Report
Thanks to you more people will have access to the supportive care they need
Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful donors, we achieved our fundraising target for the Christmas Appeal so we can improve lives and outcomes of all Australians affected by breast cancer. This includes continuing to advocate for increased government investment into specialist psycho-oncology mental health services for those with cancer. We will also continue advocating for the retention of the 10 extra Medibank funded psychologist appointments the Federal Government has removed. Your continued support means the online services and forums provided by BCNA can continue. For Emily, a young mum of two little girls, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, having access to accurate information and a supportive online community proved invaluable. It created comfort. That reassurance, and even connection
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I didn’t feel alone. Having access to that platform and knowledge is so valuable to someone going through because it makes you feel somewhat normal. Emily
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You and BCNA have been with Emily every step of her breast cancer journey
Thanks to the overwhelming support of our donors, BCNA can ensure more people diagnosed with breast cancer, and their families and carers, have access to the supportive care they need, when and where they need it.
We couldn’t do it without you. When Lyn Swinburne AO founded BCNA her vision was for no one to feel alone through their experience of breast cancer and you have helped us achieve that. In 2023, that vision is still our priority. Thanks to you, BCNA continues to advocate for, connect, Thank you for 25 years
support and inform those affected by breast cancer. Our network has grown from 300 women who first came together in 1998 to discuss the issues affecting people diagnosed to a membership of 175,000. Our loyal and generous donors like you have been with us every step along the way.
Celebrating the fantastic
Your gifts make a difference in people’s lives
BCNA was a great support to me through my breast cancer journey through being a base where I could go to find out information that I wanted to know about my own journey. I also received a My Care Kit which reassured me after my mastectomy that I would not be walking around lop sided and assisted me in feeling ‘whole’ again quickly. ~ Kate
I would like to thank you and your team so very much for the deeply comforting and informative support I have received over the last eighteen months during my breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. I could not have made it through without the support that has been available through Breast Cancer Network Australia. ~ Helpline caller
I received my beautiful Berlei post-surgery bra. I just wanted to thank you so much. I am comfortable and able to walk around without bouncing my scar and stitches! ~ My Care Kit recipient
I would like to thank you for the support you provide when one finds herself with a breast cancer diagnosis. Also, a thank you to Berlei for their support and for the beautiful bra that I have received. To know that people care and are there to support me if needed in itself helps one feel more positive about what is ahead. ~ My Care Kit recipient
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, the amazing members were so open and welcoming. They were honest with their support, advice and suggestions. This network saved me from being in a big black hole feeling all alone and helpless. I have made lifelong friends. ~ Online Network user
It gives me confidence going into chemo that I have the support and knowledge of
this great community. ~ Online Network user
2022 Snapshot
12,656 My Care Kits distributed
20,640 Australians IN 2022, AN ESTIMATED
175,000 total members across Australia 25,000 new members
212 men were diagnosed with breast cancer, including
BCNA community
Some of our wonderful donors share why they give
My wife is a breast cancer survivor and we just wanted to support the great work your organisation does. Kindest regards ~ Peter
I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and am now undergoing treatment and have been so impressed by the support I have been receiving from BCNA. This was my reason for making you the recipient this year of my end of financial year donation. Kind regards (and thanks). ~ Patricia I work in aged care and used to work in care for those under 65. I’ve seen a lot of women go through breast cancer and seen the impact it has on them and their families. I’ve seen the struggles and trauma for all those affected, and this has really stuck with me. I donate to help provide support for those with breast cancer and the families. ~ James
I like to donate what I can as I have always been thankful for the support of BCNA during my journey with breast cancer and more so when it struck again after 12 years. It meant a lot to me to have that support in 2004 and again in 2016. I am able to donate financially and have left something in my will to BCNA. If people can donate any small sum, I would encourage them even it is only $5, whatever they have to spare can help one person along their journey knowing that someone does care about you. ~ Anonymous donor
Volunteer Angela wants to give back Volunteering with BCNA is a way for me to give back to the organisation that helped me during my own journey with breast cancer. In 2004, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and shortly after, I received the My Journey Kit from BCNA. The information and support provided by the kit was invaluable to me during that difficult time, and I truly don’t know how I would have coped without it. Now, as a volunteer for BCNA, I am able to pay it forward and help others who are going through a similar experience. It’s a way for me to show my gratitude for the support I received and to give back to an organisation that has made such a positive impact on my life. ~ Angela
Angela has seen first-hand the positive impact of BCNA’s work
people a day were diagnosed with breast cancer 57 IN 2022, ON AVERAGE,
5,985 people registered to use My Journey
20,000+ people attended digital events
12,581 calls and emails to Helpline
Looking back and looking forward
Will you help us achieve our priorities for 2023? These are BCNA’s priority areas for 2023 and with your help we will achieve these important outcomes for people with breast cancer. Ensuring people receive the care they need
2022 Achievements thanks to you Some of these important achievements include: BCNA worked closely with key stakeholders to have the drug Trodelvy listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This drug offers hope for extending the lives of people with triple negative metastatic breast cancer and reinforces our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to the best treatment and care.
Helping people with metastatic breast cancer People living with metastatic breast cancer have significant unmet healthcare needs. Having spread to other parts of the body, it requires ongoing and often intensive treatment. BCNA is calling for improvements to the collection and reporting of metastatic breast cancer data as well as advocating for improved services to address the currently unmet needs of this group. Improving mental health support BCNA is advocating for greater investment in services providing specialised mental health support to those with cancer. BCNA is also addressing this unmet need through its own service delivery, for example the development of the second podcast series with Clinical Psychologist Dr Charlotte Tottman which provides meaningful conversations and information about a range of mental health topics.
Many people living in rural and regional areas often don’t have access to the care they need. So, one of our priorities is ensuring equity in the delivery of care and support to people diagnosed with breast cancer especially in rural and regional Australia. Improving access to breast reconstruction surgery Australian breast reconstruction rates are less than half those found in comparable countries like England and the United States. BCNA is working to improve access to breast reconstruction for all women who have a mastectomy. This includes a reduction in the waiting times for surgery, improved transparency of out- of-pocket costs in the private system and improving the quality and timeliness of the information provided to those considering surgery.
The release of BCNA’s Breast Reconstruction in Australia Report , which revealed unacceptable delays and inequalities in costs for elective breast surgery.
The Helpline continued to be an essential service for those diagnosed and their families navigating the complex and everchanging healthcare system.
Please join us to achieve these important goals in 2023.
The first face-to-face Information Forums were presented in Ballarat in Victoria, Launceston in
Tasmania and Rockhampton in Queensland for people to find out about the local support available in their area and to connect with others going through a similar experience.
bcna.live/AutumnAppeal
Breast Cancer Network Australia 1800 500 258 | bcna.org.au
Level 1, 293 Camberwell Road, Camberwell VIC 3124 ABN 16 087 937 531
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