Year inReview2013/14

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I felt as if I was wounded and still shell shocked whenI ventured into BreaCan in 2011, some 15 months after I hadearly breast cancer surgery.

My diagnosis had been triple positive, an aggressive cocktailof several factors, and I had endured a prolonged treatment. Along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy I was treated withHerceptin and this lasted for 12 months. It meant that whileother people came and went through the chemo day ward, I kept returning every 3 weeks. By the time it was finished I was

thoroughly exhausted and while my body felt devastated, mybrain seemed to have suffered collateral damage as well.

In hospital the social worker had given me a bundle of information which included a BreaCan brochure.

I intended to follow it up as soon as I had some space.

Finally, when the treatment was completed, I turned my attention to BreaCan and the sessions that were

being offered. It was timely because by this stage I was completely confused about what had happened to me; the side effects and on-going exhaustion, and the seemingly bitterly amusing paradox that the treatment that would cure meseemed to make me feel the opposite.

Over the last 3 years I’ve attended manysessions; from activities such as art, music, writing

and Japanese embroidery, to the completely indispensable information sessions on a diverse range of topics.

These topics have included the immune system, peripheral neuropathy, ‘chemobrain’, complementary therapies, meditation, lymphoedema and many more. Then when I think that the repertoire of topics must be exhausted, along comes the next program, usually withsomething new.

I’ve also regularly attended Feel Good exercise sessions with the inspirational leadership of Judy. It has given me motivation to ‘keep on going’ and to overcome the hurdles of the physical effects of treatment.

On a couple of occasions I have also sought information and advice for other women whowere unable to access cancer related information themselves. My queries were dealt with efficiently and appropriately. Likewise when I’ve wanted information I’ve always been givenexcellent attention.

Equal to the quality of the service which BreaCan provides, there is also the opportunity to meet other women and share friendship and experiences with them. It is an invaluablelevel of support and understanding and has been of greatest significance in my recovery.

Vivien’s story

Year inReview2013/14

Manager’s messageLee Kennedy, BREACAN MANAGER

It’s been another fantastic year for BreaCan with the celebration of our 10th anniversary being the highlight. This event brought together old friends and colleagues as well as an impressive collection of women activists. BreaCan’s support from members of the Victorian Government was also on display with The Hon David Davis, MLC, Minister for Health, expressing strong support for BreaCan’s vital role in the health system and the community.

The birthday celebrations also propelled us into the future with the launch of the BreaCan Information Navigators and app.Yes, an app! Helped by the wonderful ‘tech-heads’ at Digicap, BreaCan service users and staff identified the need, put inthe ground work, sprinkled the project with creativity and flair, then presented the virtual ribbon for the Minister to cut!The BreaCan Information Navigator will no doubt become the ‘go to’ resource for finding high quality, reliable informationfor all women who have been diagnosed with early breast cancer. We thank our valued partners in the Victorian Department of Health funded Breast Cancer Survivorship Pilot, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The Women’s, Western Health and Inner Northwest Melbourne Medicare Local, for their contributions in making this new information resource a reality. This successful project has since been named for extension to other breast cancer sites. Being resourced to make our contribution really made a difference and serves as an example ofthe benefits of a ‘codesign’ approach with strong consumer input.

As always, our volunteers have provided the backbone of the BreaCan service and a recent intake ofvolunteers has provided us with a boost in numbers and some new faces. A couple of volunteerswere stand-outs as they took on the task of managing the BreaCan 10th Anniversary Quilt project.Nikki Davis and Chris Struck put in many extra hours on top of their resource centre roster to coordinate the 100-square quilt, bringing together the contributions of women from across Victoria. The quilt is a stunning expression of the impact breast and gynaecological cancershave had on the lives of women directly affected, as well as their families and others who havecared for them. The Hon Mary Wooldridge, MP, Minister for Community Services, unveiledthe quilt at the 10th Anniversary event. The Minister took the opportunity to describe herfondness for our organisation (I think her exact words were “I love BreaCan!”) and topresent our inaugural BreaCan Champion Award. Long-time volunteer and exercise advocate Judy Sammut was surprised and delighted to be honoured in this way.

This year we finalised our two-year Cancer Australia funded project with WesternHealth. This important project has helped the service become more culturally responsive and assisted in developing relationships with Vietnamese women affected by cancer.

Sad news for the year included the resignation of Justine Dalla Riva who madesuch a great contribution to the success of BreaCan over the last decade as ourresident communications guru. Further sad news came with notification from theQueen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust that our lease won’t be extended beyond2015. An accommodation working group has been developed to identify nextsteps.

The next financial year promises to be a big one. With the assistance of Pink Affairwe’ll be looking to re-establish our Steps to Fun and Fitness program, implement theActive and Well After Breast Cancer pilot project with Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC), and we’llbe rolling out a needs analysis for rural and regional women with cancer, funded by theVictorian Department of Health. Of course, we’ll also continue reaching out to womenacross Victoria to provide peer support services and our unique message of hope.

We look forward to working with you all!

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Highlights 2013/2014

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(L-R) Rita Butera, Executive Officer,Women’s Health Victoria, Hon. David

Davis, Minister for Health and Ageing, Lee Kennedy, Manager,

BreaCan, Hon. Mary Wooldridge, Minister for Mental Health, Women's

Affairs and Community Services, Dr Sally Fawkes, Chair, BreaCan

Advisory Group, and GeorgieCrozier, Parliamentary Secretaryfor Health, at the morning tea to

launch the BreaCan Navigator app and unveil the BreaCan 10th

Anniversary Quilt, 10 October 2013

BreaCan held a 10th birthday celebration in October where:• The Victorian Health Minister the Hon David Davis launched the BreaCan Information Navigator. These innovative guides to finding quality

online information are available online or downloadable as an app for your phone or tablet.

• The Hon Mary Wooldridge, Minister for Community Services, unveiled the BreaCan Quilt, a wonderful contribution by BreaCan volunteers and service

users from across Victoria.

INSET: Hon. David Davis, Minister for Health and

Ageing switching on the appwith Justine Della Riva

• BreaCan relaunched its website in an inviting and easy to navigateformat.

• BreaCan extended the volunteer pool by recruiting and traininganother 15 women as peer support volunteers.

• The Premier of Victoria Denis Napthine launched the Active andWell After Breast Cancer project, naming BreaCan and theAustralian Cancer Survivorship Centre as partners to BreastCancer Network Australia.

• BreaCan made a significant contribution to the learnings andevidence base of Victoria’s Cancer Survivorship pilot initiativethrough the Breast Service project undertaken with our partners,Inner Northwest Melbourne Medicare Local, Western Health, TheRoyal Melbourne Hospital and The Women’s. This ‘codesign’project successfully incorporated women’s voices and hasbeen extended to other treatment centres and tumour streams.

• BreaCan held a successful Saturday forum for women with anyadvanced cancer, along with their partners and family or friends.

• The Bridge of Support program has continued to provide information and support to women diagnosed with breast cancer at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and work continues indeveloping models for its extension to other treatment centres.

• A Cancer Australia-funded Culturally and Linguistically Diverse(CALD) project has improved BreaCan’s response to Vietnamesewomen, resulting in the completion of a cultural competenceaudit and development of a culturally sensitive service deliveryplan.

• BreaCan has met with Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centrekey personnel and strategic partners to discuss our potentialrole in this exciting new venture.

• Pink Affair, a breast cancer charity, has agreed to fund BreaCan’sSteps to Fun and Fitness program that encourages physical activity and will target women from CALD backgrounds.

• BreaCan participated with the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Service Alliance (VPTAS) and Cancer Council Victoria to successfully advocate for better funding for patientsin rural areas.

• Victorian Department of Health has funded BreaCan to undertake a needs analysis of the unmet information and support needs of rural and regional women with cancer.

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I learnt about BreaCan in 2011. Although living in the country, my husband and I often come to Melbourne visiting relatives.

I would read about the interesting topics and activities noted in the What’s On newsletter, often wishing I could attend the talks or have

reflexology. This year, I was really pleased to be ableto attend a meditation session, with about 20

women. It’s difficult to describe those beneficialfeelings of inner calm, integrated wholeness, of feeling centred – it was certainly a wonderfully healing space to be in.

After the session, Anne introduced herself. Hearing that I was from the country andhad time on my hands, she invited me to acuppa at the QV food hall. What a delight todiscover that we shared similar thoughts andexperiences on our breast cancer journey! It

was truly a blessing to connect with someoneelse who had similar views to myself!

It was quite a relief, confidence boost, and maybehealing for me through such a sharing; knowing I amnot alone; that each person’s journey IS a personalone, and that we do have the power and right to make our own choices. Thank you Anne!

I also discovered the Resource Library and have borrowed many items since.

My next visit: I’d just come off a plane following a difficult memorial service, and was feeling troubled and exhausted. I decided to make the

effort of calling in to BreaCan before driving home. I thought I was just calling in to return a CD: on arriving there I fell into the arms of Fredericka,

Mary, Naideen, and Joan. What a blessing they were! So adept are these volunteers at creating a welcoming and safe space, a tangible circle of care,

I found myself telling them my woes!! They listened. Really listened!!

What an absolute Godsend they were to me that day. I left feeling I’d been hugely enriched by the warmth and compassion of these wonderful women;the journey homewas much more enjoyable – because they had been there.

Thank you so much BreaCan, for your service, for being accessible, and for being there.Thank you to the wonderful volunteers – sisters, who know this road, and who intrinsicallyknow how to nurture others in a non-judgemental, caring and nurturing way.

Rosemaria’s story

I found myself tellingthem my woes!!

They listened. Really listened!!

6 Year inReview2013/14

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8 Year inReview2013/14

Volunteer intake 2013 – peer support volunteers receiving their certificates after completion of the training program.

Our strategic directions2012-15 focus our effortson achieving our vision ofwomen living well: healthy,empowered and equal. The following strategic objectives outline our aspirational goals and weredeveloped in consultationwith stakeholders a fewyears ago. As we are nearing the end of the period, we are set to begina new process of reflectionand planning in the comingmonths.

Strategic Objective 1BreaCan is GROWING ANDEXTENDING the reach of our information and support services for people affected by breast and gynaecological cancer throughout Victoria

Strategic Objectives

Key outcomes:

• We’ve received funds to assist in the Active and Well After Breast Cancer project by running education sessions alongside a new exercise program.

• Pink Affair (a breast cancer charity) agreed to fund Steps to Fun and Fitness programs, an introduction to a wide range of physical activity options.

• The Department of Health has funded us to undertake a needs analysis of the unmet informationand support needs of rural and regional women with cancer.

• We’ve extended the volunteer pool by recruiting and training another 15 women in 2013.• Our Bridge Of Support program has continued to provide information and support to women at

The Royal Melbourne Hospital.• We’ve been developing the business plan that will underpin our new fundraising strategy using

the assistance of Greatconnections*. The next phase is consultation. • We have worked to develop our online and social media presence and are consistently growing

our online community. We are utilising our Twitter and Facebook profiles along with our app, podcasts and new website to ensure the greatest levels of accessibility for women right across Victoria.*Greatconnections supports community organisations and causes by engaging community leaders to be

transformative skilled volunteers.

We also finalised our Cancer Australia funded project aimed at engaging Vietnamese women.Out of this project BreaCan has:

• Developed a Breast and Gynaecological Cancer Resource List for Vietnamese women in Vietnamese.

• Translated information about select What’s On information sessions into Vietnamese for Vietnamesewomen on our database and relevant agencies and organisations.

• Increased the number of Vietnamese women on our database.• Worked with a range of agencies to explore possibilities to develop an on-going support group for

the Vietnamese community in the West. • Developed and delivered two education sessions for GPs through Medicare Locals in collaboration

with Western Health, using a Vietnamese case study to strengthen GP’s support to their community. • Incorporated Vietnamese women’s stories and a cultural competency approach in GP breast cancer

education sessions.• As an organisation, we have completed a cultural competence audit and have developed a culturally

sensitive service delivery plan. Our staff and volunteers have participated in cultural responsivenesstraining.

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Survivorship forum presentation

Moorabbin forum: Elizabeth Miller and some of the Live Well forum attendees, 13 June 2014

Strategic Objective 2BreaCan continues to BUILD THE EVIDENCE BASE for our model of peer support, volunteering and consumer participation programs

Strategic Objective 3BreaCan continues to PURSUE OPPORTUNITIES to develop new programsfor women with cancer

Key outcomes:

We continue to take up opportunities to demonstratethe value of our work through research and evaluationsuch as:

• Our involvement in the State Government fundedBreast Services Survivorship pilot project has providedkey learnings to the sector. Several conference presentations have helped to circulate the findings toVictorian Integrated Cancer Services and AustralianCancer Nurses.

• We provide consumer perspective in the WesternCentral Melbourne Integrated Cancer Services fundedEndometrial Cancer Survivorship project. This innovativeproject will help to provide a proof of concept in relation to early stage endometrial cancer recovery.

• We have begun adapting the Chronic Illness Alliance’sPeer Support Best Practice Framework to providesome guidance and focus in progressing this objective.

• Utilising a Melbourne University Masters of PublicHealth student has increased our research capacity.The student developed the background research oncancer outcomes and social determinants in rural Victoria that helped ensure a successful submission to extend our services for rural women.

• The BreaCan Advisory Group has contributed to a research brief framework which will be implemented in the 2014/15 financial year so we can better communicate with potential researchers and researchorganisations to provide more evidence about the effectiveness of our unique approach.

Key outcomes:

• We held a very successful Saturday forum with a rangeof speakers and workshops open to all women withadvanced cancer and their partners, family or friends.We received great feedback from participants aboutthe value of the connections made on the day and lots of ideas for future sessions.

• The BreaCan Advisory Group has considered a discussion paper on issues and opportunities relatingto the extension of an advanced cancer program, andhave developed a strategy. Funding bodies will be approached to ensure we are able to better meet the needs of this group.

• The development of the Information Navigator has provided mobile access to quality information on earlybreast cancer.

Year inReview2013/14

Key outcomes:

• We have advocated for access, holistic care, consumer participation and sector understanding in arange of settings including various Victorian Clinical Networks (Breast Cancer, Gynaecological Cancer,Psycho-Oncology) and the Victorian Cancer Survivorship Program Steering Committee.

• We have worked on projects designed to improve services such as our Culturally and LinguisticallyDiverse project and the Breast Services Survivorship pilot project. Many of the results of these projectscontinue to influence service delivery at BreaCan and in other services.

• We have worked with Western Health to deliver education sessions in Primary Care, which combinethe learnings from both projects.

• We are also drawing on these learnings to influence new projects such as the Endometrial CancerSurvivorship project.

• Our article on the development of the BreaCan Information Navigator in the Cancer Action Victorianewsletter demonstrated the value of consumer voices in information development.

• The BreaCan Advisory Group met with Jim Bishop, the Director of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC), and BreaCan staff are involved in discussions with partners about our workand potential role in this exciting new venture.

• BreaCan are part of the Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Service (VPTAS) Alliance convened by Cancer Council Victoria (CCV). The team has successfully advocated for increased funding forthose having to travel for treatment.

• The Volunteer Reference Group continues to meet and provide the volunteers with an opportunity tofeed into the development of the service and to articulate their own information and support needs.

• The Consumer Reference Group meets regularly to provide input into various aspects of the service, as well as contributing on an ad hoc basis for particular projects and initiatives.

VPTAS Press ReleaseBreaCan was one of an alliance of 30 cancer and

chronic illness organisations which successfully advocated for improvements to the Victorian

Patient Transport Assistance Scheme.

Strategic Objective 4BreaCan continues to INFLUENCE CANCER POLICYAND PRACTICE to ensurewomen have access to bestpractice, prevention, treatmentand support and survivorshipcare

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BreaCan is an organisation that helps people diagnosedwith breast cancer like me. I was referred to BreaCan by my breast care nurse. Their goal is to help me with

my present situation (living with advanced cancer) and togive the utmost support they can. Talking with the

volunteers from BreaCan makes me feel better. They helpedme to cope with regards to the symptoms of this disease.

Participating in the different events at BreaCan such as information sessions and reflexology sessions are so helpful. I learned so many things by attending the information sessions.The reflexology sessions help me to feel good and relax. It also alleviates the pain that I am feeling due to the side effects of the therapies that I am doing.

Meeting other people at BreaCan is a good thing. Because ofthis, I feel that I am not the only person getting in this kind of

situation in life. Knowing these other people doesn’t make me feel so isolated. They are also with me battling this disease. I consider

people like us are now the modern day Women Warrior because I knowthat we are not just battling the disease but as well as battling to live.

Every day is a blessing for us, a blessing that I always give thanks for.

Maricar’s story

I consider people like us are now the modern day Women Warrior because

I know that we are not just battling thedisease but as well as battling to live.

Every day is a blessing for us, a blessingthat I always give thanks for.

12 Year inReview2013/14

Florence and Anita looking at the Navigator

Information and Support Services

Our Resource CentreThe resource centre continues to be the central hub formany of the activities of BreaCan. While women continueto drop into the centre to speak with volunteers, have abreak before or after an appointment or treatment, orbrowse the library resources, it is phone contact that hasbeen a core feature of the volunteers’ work this year.Many people are either contacting us through the fantasticnew website or being referred to us by our loyal band ofbreast care nurses, surgeons, oncologists and otherhealth professionals. The volunteers respond to these requests for information and support with incredible dedication and wisdom, drawing on their lived experiencesof cancer to improve the experiences of other women diagnosed, their friends and families. Often the very act of listening to a woman or her partner expressing theirthoughts and feelings provides reassurance and hope.

What’s OnThe What’s On program continues to evolve with the newformat and look introduced in 2013. By incorporating theWhat’s New component, we link women to latest newsfrom the cancer sector and provide a handy snapshot ofactivities, so that both women and service providers aregetting appropriate and timely information, not only aboutBreaCan, but about broader aspects of cancer information and support.

Information Sessions & ProgramsNew information sessions introduced this year oftencame from the suggestions of users of our service. Theseinclude aromatase inhibitors, peripheral neuropathy andnipple tattooing. A singing session proved most upliftingand, of course, our eternally popular sessions continue tobe African Drumming, Japanese Embroidery, Meditation,Tai Chi, Breast Reconstruction, ‘Chemobrain’ and Lifeafter Cancer… the list goes on! We evaluate many of oursessions and this feedback is invaluable in assessing ourcurrent program and integral in the development of newprograms. Thank you to the wonderful presenters whoprovide such amazing information, skill and generosity in

both supporting and informing the people who attendthese sessions. This program will branch out in the nextyear to include working with partners in the cancer sectorto provide sessions in a variety of locations. BreaCan hasalso gained the ability to provide some sessions as webinars.This technology will assist us in making information morewidely accessible to those who cannot visit the ResourceCentre.

ResourcesMany people are now accessing our library of resourcesthrough the BreaCan website. With all titles now online,people can browse the library catalogue and requestitems electronically. Items are still posted and returnedfree of charge across Victoria although we do appreciateany assistance with postage costs. From Merbein toMount Eliza, Dennington to Doncaster – resources to inform and support are travelling across the state. The BreaCan Information Navigator, that is accessibleonline and as an app, is a source of credible and reputablebreast cancer information and is another way technologyis enabling greater access to information and support.

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ReflexologyReflexology has a new face at BreaCan with the very experienced Bernadette Voss now providing this wonderful therapeutic service to women, particularlythose who are newly diagnosed and/or re-diagnosed. It is always so pleasing to see women experiencing thebenefits of this nurturing and relaxing experience as theyfloat out of the sessions. A big thank you also to JennyRigby who introduced reflexology to BreaCan and provided this service for over seven years. Her holistic approach, kindness and gentleness were traits greatly appreciated by the participants.

ExerciseThe ever-dynamic trio of Judy, Lois and Meril have continued the Feel Good Gentle Exercise program everyfortnight. With 23 sessions and over 330 attendees, this program encourages women to get in touch withwhat their body can do following surgery and treatment,as well as offering the chance to widen their support network. Looking ahead, we plan to offer our six-weekversion of Feel Good called Steps to Fun and Fitness atcommunity locations later in 2014. This is possible thanksto Pink Affair, a not for profit organisation raising funds toprovide direct support to women.

Advanced Cancer SupportThe needs of women with advanced cancer continue tobe a focus of our support and information program. Wehave expanded the program to include all women withadvanced cancer regardless of their type of cancer. As these women often comment to us, once you are diagnosed with advanced cancer, your psychological,emotional, financial and familial worlds can change instantly and dramatically. Increased availability of technology will also increase the access women with advanced cancer have to many BreaCan programs.

A fantastic forum for women with advanced cancer, theirfamily and friends, was held early in 2014 and covered a range of these issues. Most importantly, from the attendee’s point of view, it provided the opportunity to get together, share experiences and reduce their sense of isolation. The Making Connections program for womenwith advanced cancer also continues to extend the information and support available with topics covered this year including Treatment Options, Bone Health, Caring for Yourself and Living with Uncertainty.

Bridge of SupportThe Bridge of Support program, run in partnership withThe Royal Melbourne Hospital, continues to supportwomen as they are diagnosed and receive treatment forbreast cancer. The value of this support to women, theirfamilies or friends, was reinforced during our contact with over 230 women at outpatient appointments, dayoncology and following surgery. It is hoped that in thenext year we will expand this support to women with a gynaecological cancer receiving treatment at TheWomen’s and perhaps other treatment centres too.

Art Therapy

Did you know?BreaCan is also involved in a range of other activities andevents.

• We are represented at a range of events run by other relevant organisations.

• Women, many from rural areas, come to BreaCan sessions and to the Resource Centre in groups. Manythanks to the Breast Care Nurses who organise this.

• Students come to learn about BreaCan and our modelof support.

• Health professionals and other organisations partnerwith us to extend our support to women diagnosed withcancer.

We are proud to offer this fantastic range of valuable programs and look forward to further developing our servicesto reach out to more women affected by cancer, their familyand friends in places and at times when they need information and support.

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Being only 24 when diagnosed with stage 1C ovarian cancer in February2014, I was first introduced to BreaCan by a referral from Ovarian Cancer

Australia as a means of finding further support and information about myrecent diagnosis. I was usually the youngest participant at gatherings

with most women being twice, if not three times my age, but never oncewas it a negative. Some were at the start of their cancer journey just as

I was, some were towards the end of treatment, some were in remission, and some were battling cancer for a second or third

time. They had different physical scars, fears and questions thanI, but had the same love for life. It was always an incredible sight and inspiration to see them all still laughing and smilingafter what they had been through. The best part is that wewere going through this together.

The sessions and activities that the center runs are fantastic. It is so much nicer hearing the information directly from aspeaker, than having to read it out of another medical pamphlet.A great thing is you can ask you own questions and hear other

questions answered that you didn’t even think of! If you haven’tbeen to a session, you don’t know what you are missing out on.

Speaking with the volunteers at BreaCan made a huge differencefor me compared to other support services I had gone to see. The

warm nurturing environment you enter at BreaCan is like nothing I have ever experienced before anywhere, and something I alwayslook forward to in my next visit.

In my experience, everyone at BreaCan – including all the otherwomen that also go to the center for information and support – havebecome second mothers to me and I adore them. They are always

interested to know how recovery has been and how my work andstudies are going. My experience with BreaCan has been invaluable

and the best help in my recovery post-surgery and diagnosis. The life advice I have been privileged to learn from these amazing women at

BreaCan, I will take with me always. I feel so very lucky and honored to have been able to share many a cup of tea with them, and I will keep that

close to me, long after the cancer has gone.

Michelle’s story

I was usually the youngest participant at gatheringswith most women being twice, if not three times my age, but never once was it a negative. Some

were at the start of their cancer journey just as I was, some were towards the end of treatment, some were in remission, and some were battling

cancer for a second or third time.

Year inReview2013/14

BreaCan Volunteers 2013-2014

Peer Support trained volunteers

HeatherJoyJanineJoanHelenRhondaWendyTeresaNikkiSusan DJillMerilSue GAaltjeNaideenLilyanaLianneBelindaFrederikaCoralieRitaLois MAnnetteToulaKirstenBridgetPamSue SJewelsChrisSandra TKhimJanicePaulineCindy

Program Support

LeanneJudyJulesLois SBevCherylDorothyPatriciaSandra BElizabethBarbaraJocelynAnnMaryseIreneSusan

Ms Elizabeth Miller, Member for Bentleigh, with BreaCan volunteers and staff, at the National Voluntering Week celebration at BreaCan, 13 May 2014

15

Our Volunteers

Our volunteers, all of whom have had a personal experience of either breast or a gynaecological cancer, continue to be the backbone of BreaCan. Their time, skills, heart and goodwill are gifts they generously share with BreaCan and the womenwho are supported by our service.Our volunteers work in a variety of roles providing exercise instruction and support,library support, mail out assistance, representation of the organisation at displays,BreaCan Advisory Group membership, public speaking, administrative assistance,and peer support services in both the resource centre and through the Bridge ofSupport program. Some of our volunteers undertake a number of these roles intheir support of the service.In this past year another four volunteers, Pauline, Meril, Rita and Leanne, reachedtheir ten year milestone of volunteering with us. They were presented with certificates by Ms Elizabeth Miller, State Member for Bentleigh, at our NationalVolunteer Week celebration in May.The BreaCan Volunteer Reference Group continues to meet regularly and providesan opportunity for volunteer input to the service and a link to the governance ofBreaCan. Our volunteers enjoy the connections and friendships developedthrough BreaCan and this year they have started their own social group.Our sixth intake of peer support volunteers completed their training and orientation,and are now working regularly in the resource centre. A number of our peer supportvolunteers have begun volunteering at The Royal Melbourne Hospital through theBridge of Support program this year.We remember with fondness and gratitude Rosemary Young (2003-2007), Barbara Oakes (2011-2012) and Susan Draper (2013-2014) our volunteers who have died this past year. We thank all our volunteers for their continued support in 2013-2014.

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Special thanks to Justine

Communications and InformationManagement Coordinator JustineDalla Riva was farewelled by staffand volunteers in May 2014.

Since joining the staffteam at BreaCan

in 2003, Justineplayed an instrumentalrole in helpingBreaCan togrow into the

service it istoday.

Justine’s manyachievements over

the last 11 years have included the concept and development of the BreaCan Information Navigators, the development of the BreaCan website, the planning and implementation of the BreaCan communication plan, and the publication of the BreaCan Decadein Review 2003-2013. Justine’s knowledge, creativity andintegrity will be greatly missed, as will her commitment to empowering women with cancer to live well.

The BreaCan Advisory Group

Sally Fawkes, Chair

Lyn Allison

Helen Coleman

Christine Evely

Bronwyn Flanagan

Jane Fletcher

Frederika Laurie

Jane McNeilage

Penny Sanderson

Beth Wilson

Katy Weare

Rita Butera (Women’s Heath Victoria Executive Director)

Lee Kennedy (BreaCan Manager)

BreaCan Consumer Reference Group

Carmel Blight

Ilka Carapina

Tracey Carpenter

Pham Ho

Jill Holmes

Carmel McCarthy

Farewell to staff

Robin Curwen-Walker Programs Officer (Finished October 2013)

Justine Dalla Riva Communications and Information Management Coordinator(Finished May 2014)

Annemarie Ferguson Diversity Project Officer (Finished June 2014)

Jenny Rigby Programs Officer (Finished September 2013)

Olivia Downing Masters of Public Health student placement (August-October 2013)

Our People

Staff

Lee KennedyManager

Fiona McRaeTeam Leader, Programs

Kellie HollandVolunteer Coordinator

Mary Macheras-MagiasPrograms and Training Coordinator

Simone NelsonPrograms and Resources Coordinator

Wendy PullanPrograms and Programming Coordinator

Katherine BradstreetAdministration Officer

Message from the Advisory Group ChairSally Fawkes, CHAIR

It has been an honour to serve again this year as Chair of the BreaCan Advisory Group (BAG) working alongside eleven inspirational women. BAG members come from a range of backgrounds and provide a breadth of expertise, know-how and influence to make a difference in the lives of women affected by a gynaecological or breast cancer.

It was a year of action and achievement. BreaCan celebrated its 10th birthday in October 2013 with a colourful andwell-attended event. Our Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Building space dressed up for the occasion and put ona party. This event reminded us how far BreaCan has come over a decade – and how many committed individuals have started and have since been involved in its efforts – in providing high quality peer supportto women diagnosed with a gynaecological or breast cancer.

An afternoon tea in May allowed our special volunteers to be recognised during National VolunteerWeek at the BreaCan resource centre. Ms Elizabeth Miller, State Member for Bentleigh, attended thecelebration and expressed support on behalf of the Victorian Government for the critical role of volunteers and the value of peer support. New volunteers continue to join us at BreaCan and theAdvisory Group gratefully acknowledges the time, effort, experience, wisdom and skill they bringto the service.

With some critical new funding, we are very excited about the potential to offer BreaCan’s services to rural women into 2015. Partnerships with local agencies and groups will be vitalin enabling BreaCan’s resources and peer support model to be within reach of womenwho are more geographically isolated at the time of diagnosis and treatment and whodeserve access to the same opportunities for quality information and support.

Members of the BreaCan Advisory Group have continued to initiate work this year onan evaluation and research strategy. We believe that it is important for BreaCan to notonly make the best possible use of available evidence and experience but to alsogenerate evidence of ‘what works’ and why, so others can learn from our work inpeer support and other health promotion strategies.

The Advisory Group would like to thank BreaCan manager, Lee Kennedy, for her skilful professionalism and deep commitment to the work of BreaCan. Lee hasplayed a pivotal role in enabling the organisation to survive and thrive. Of course,the service is all about peer support provided by women for women. The volunteers and staff of BreaCan who have been associated with BreaCan over2013-2014 must be warmly thanked for their hard work and inspired contributions.BreaCan remains proud to offer women living with cancer a holistic, women-centred, community-based, free and confidential service that works in tandem withmedical treatment and existing support systems to promote wellbeing.

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18 Year inReview2013/14

Looking Forward

BreaCan looks forward to a wonderful and productive year ahead. Our continuing aim is to increase accessto our services and activities to ensure the information and support we provide reaches as many women inneed as possible. We’ll be offering webinars, reflecting on ten years of data, beginning a new strategic planprocess, looking at accommodation options, undertaking a rural needs analysis and implementing thefundraising strategy.

Next year will be a year characterised by the saying, “same, same – but different”. We’ll continue to:

• provide information sessions, but we’ll be looking at doing more in partnership with other centres.

• recruit and train some more peer support volunteers and we’ll also be looking at how to make the trainingmore accessible.

• work with women with advanced cancer and we’ll work in partnership with relevant services to extend ourreach.

• offer the Bridge of Support program and will work further on diversifying the model to engage with othertreatment centres.

• work with others to provide opportunities for women’s voices to be heard so that relevant, high quality servicesare provided for women affected by cancer.

• And of course, we’ll continue to provide our unique and valuable peer support to assist women with cancer to live well.

The work we do has a very real impact on women at a time when things can seem overwhelming, confusing andoften just plain hard. The message of hope that volunteers bring, as women who are living with or beyond cancer,is a rare source of encouragement and a great affirmation of the value of taking the often scary step to reach outfor help and assistance.

You can help us to provide information and support to people diagnosed with cancer and their families by makinga donation through our website.

www breacan.org.au

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DonorsDonations were received in memory of Bernadine Herkess andPaula Drum, and in memory of Julie Pallott at the wedding of herdaughter Kate.

Alphington ChoirMatthew AndrewsRegina ArmstrongKevin AyreyJohn and Jane Buxton-RellaCarlene CharltonRina ChiaSue ClarkeMichele DayBetty DayhewHelen DeanDoogs DonagheyFrances EmersonLynn FelsenthalSue FosterBetty GeakeSusan GreenGrill’d Local MattersW. Groot KormelinckJoyce HallRonda HallCoral HarlockEnid HarlockLilian HollingsworthLisa HollingsworthLorraine HurleyJulie HyneIl VicoloHelen JowettPhil KreveldMoya KuypersTanya LawsonSally LloydGeraldine LunardelloJan LuratiPamela Macpherson

Paul MagiasSue MaltaHome Group 10B, MLC MelbourneSusan MooreSylvia MorrisonGerard MullalyMaree MursellBeverley NurseOaks Day LuncheonKaren ParishTracy ParishFrances PitittoJill PriceKeith and Irina ReitsemaChristine RicketsonMarie RizzoLorna RuffellDi SellengerMary TanEffie ToddPoppy Wilson

There were also donors whowished to remain anonymous.

In-Kind DonationsBelinda AstlFranca Agresta Monique BaldacchinoClare BarrettHeather BeanlandDavid BowtellCaroline ClarkPauline ClarkeMitchell ChipmanWendy CoatesNikki DavisSally DawsonMichael GreenMichelle JalilianMavis LambornAnnette Lyons

Avis MacpheeJane McNeilageSue MaltaKim Luu NguyenEmma SharleyChris StruckPhilippa TaylorShirley WongNational Australia Bank volunteers

Friends of BreaCanAfrican DrummingArena PrintingDigicapGenesis Fitness, Lonsdale StreetIT StrategicKimono HouseKnowledge Base SystemsLa Bella DesignLiving Well ServicesNicola RabotSquisitoBernadette VossJenny Rigby

Presenters of Group SessionsMonique BaldacchinoClare BarrettDavid BowtellMargie BrettMaree BrinkmanKristy BrownGillian BuckleyJonathon CebonJacquie ChirgwinLeonie ConstableLiz CrockerSally DawsonRichard De BoerHelen EasonLynda EvansJane FletcherMaria FtanouAmanda HordernAdele HulseKate JacksonMichelle JalilianMahes Karrupiah-QuillenDani-Ela KaylerRuth KennedyKay KilhamVlado KrstevskiMavis LambornAnnette LyonsPaul MaruffTara McKintyGabrielle O'ConnorLea O'SullivanJeremy PrenticeDarshaniEmma RoseJudy SammutClare ScottKim TaylorBernadette VossMichelle WhiteShirley WongMarg WyattMatt Young

Our Supporters

We would like to say thank you to the following people, companies and organisations thathave supported BreaCan in different ways in 2013/2014. We are extremely grateful.

Donations ensure every woman diagnosed with breast or a gynaecological cancer has theopportunity to receive the support and information they need, when they need it.

PHONE 1300 781 500FAX (03) 9921 0840EMAIL breacan@breacan.org.auWEBSITE www.breacan.org.auPODCASTSww.breacan.org.au/podcastsNAVIGATORS www.breacan.org.au/navigators

BREACAN RESOURCE CENTREGround FloorQueen Victoria Women’s Centre210 Lonsdale StMelbourne VIC 3000

HOURS OF OPERATIONMonday 10am–2pmWednesday 10am–2pmThursday 10am–2pm(Closed Public Holidays)

The Bridge of Support at The Royal Melbourne Hospital operates on alternate Tuesdays (12–4pm) and Thursdays (10am–2pm)

POSTAL ADDRESSGPO Box 1066Melbourne VIC 3001

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Subscribe to our mailing listat www.breacan.org.au

BreaCan is a service of Women’s Health Victoria, a statewide women’s health promotion, information and advocacy service.

BreaCan acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.

BreaCan& BREAST CANCERGYNAECOLOGICAL SUPPORT