Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/85232
110: pinkpages SUPPORT PACK PROVIDES VITAL FIRST STEP FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition's (BCAC) Step by Step support pack has now been given to more than 4000 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer since it was first published in 2008. Developed by the women of BCAC, who themselves have experienced Step breast cancer, Step by Step aims to help women understand their diagnosis and empower them to make informed decisions about their treatment options. Each year in New Zealand around 2750 women (and 20 men) will be diagnosed with breast cancer and BCAC aims to get a free Step by Step pack to each of them through their nationwide network. Libby Burgess, BCAC's chairperson, explains that the resource is designed to help women deal with the psychological and emotional upheaval of a breast cancer diagnosis. "As breast cancer survivors, we at BCAC know that a diagnosis of breast cancer is a life-changing moment. We developed Step by Step to help newly diagnosed patients through this challenging time. The first few weeks following diagnosis can be bewildering as you learn about your diagnosis and the treatments that may lie ahead. "The pack contains an information booklet about breast cancer, treatment options, support organisations and other useful resources. It also includes a diary to organise medical and treatment information, record appointment times and note down any questions for your medical team. We have also included a journal for recording personal thoughts, with inspirational messages from other women who have experienced breast cancer." BCAC receives a steady supply of positive feedback about Step by Step, both from those using it and from the medical professionals who provide it to their patients. Julie Graham has used Step by Step in recent months. A mother of two young teenagers from Cambridge, Julie was diagnosed with Her2 positive breast cancer early in 2011. As you would expect, Julie says getting her head around surgery, six months of chemotherapy, five weeks of radiotherapy, five years of Tamoxifen and 1 year of Herceptin was a challenge. But she says her Step by Step support pack helped to bridge the gaps in her knowledge and provide her with the information she needed. Julie explains, "The information was so helpful, particularly i the early days when not a lot was sinking in and I could go back and read over things when I felt up to it. Plus it was so useful to have somewhere to note down anything during the many specialist appointments and record questions for the next one." And while the journal in the Step by Step pack is intended for patients to record their personal thoughts and experiences, Julie found a unique use for it. Rather than recording her own thoughts and feelings the journal became her "visitors book". She asked family and friends to record their messages in it and "these were always full of love and positive vibes, so on days when I was feeling blue I would read back over them to inspire me to keep going." For more information visit the BCAC website at www.breastcancer.org.nz by step Nostalgia Red Hats, Purple Coats & PHOTOS BY: NEIL SATORI Nostalgia Restaurant at 108 Ponsonby Road, Nostalgia Restaurant at 108 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby was ablaze with colour and character when fifty ladies from the Red Hat Society dressed up to the nines and swooped in on a Saturday afternoon for the restaurant's famous High Tea. "Queen" Anne White of the Blockhouse Bay chapter decided to celebrate her birthday with her sisterhood at Nostalgia Restaurant and in the organising process with restaurant manager, Mariette Roodt it was decided to host the event as a fundraising exercise for Hospice. The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humour and élan. "We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next." Mariette Roodt chose Dove House (Eastern Bays Hospice) where she had previously worked as a volunteer as the recipient of the money collected on the day. Owner of Nostalgia, Colin Gardner went one step further and met the amount which the ladies pooled together. Colin feels very strongly about giving back to the community and supporting an organisation like Hospice. It was decided to have a second fundraising event and to challenge other restaurants in Auckland to equal or better the monies raised. www.easternbayshospice.org.nz