Projects |
Young women with breast cancer
BCN NZ and Breast Cancer Support have together launched an on-line forum for young New Zealand women with breast cancer. We know that young women want on-line contact with other young women, as well as information geared to their age and situation. Breast Cancer Network Australia is kindly hosting the forum - see our Young Women's page for details.
In 2010 BCN published several articles for younger women in Upfront U Kaiora. We welcome contributions and ideas for our Young Women's page. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
See also links for young women
Upfront U Kaiora
Upfront U Kaiora is BCN's own bimonthly magazine-style publication. BCN recently produced the 100th edition accompanied by a special celebration. Members can choose a full colour on-line version of Upfront U Kaiora or a black and white mailed copy. Join BCN here.
Library Displays
In October 2009 and 2010 we sent information packs to a total of 45 provincial libraries. The goal was to introduce women in smaller centres to information about reducing the risk of breast cancer, and to encourage libraries to feature their range of breast cancer books during October.
Other Recent Projects
DVDs for breast cancer - Polly’s Global Walk and You’re Not Alone.
We provided 10 breast cancer groups throughout New Zealand with a free DVD of Polly’s Global Walk to use for an event or fundraising. See Polly’s website www.pollysglobalwalk.com for video clips of the DVD.
BCN still has several copies of You’re Not Alone to give away to women with secondary breast cancer, who live in New Zealand.
See Secondary Cancer
Booklet - Reduce your breast cancer risk - Everyday actions for New Zealand women. This booklet was reprinted in 2010 to provide information for young women, and is being distributed in cooperation with several large organisations who provide services for younger women. See Resources.
Recommendations from 1st National Conference
For the last few years we have focused our efforts on recommendations from the BCN 1st National Breast Cancer Conference in 2007. BCN has worked alone on some recommendations, and with other cancer groups to help set up and promote new services. Working with others enables more goals to be achieved and connections between the groups to be strengthened.
Secondary Breast Cancer workshop – Living with Hope in your Heart
Recommendation – “that BCN develop a ‘chat room’ or an online message board facility on their website”.
The good news about the online forum is that Sweet Louise now has a forum up and running, and it’s available for all those in New Zealand with secondary breast cancer at www.sweetlouise.co.nz.
Recommendation – “That more information be available to women with metastatic disease, particularly on the BCN website".
We now have a section for women with secondary breast cancer on this website. See Living with Secondary Cancer. Here you will find personal stories and articles, resources and links. We would love to hear from you if you would like to add your story to the page.
Rural Women Workshop
Recommendation 48 - “that patients be provided with better information on the travel subsidies available”
See Issues 87, 88 and 89 of Upfront U Kaiora on our Resources page. The editor has interviewed 3 women who needed to travel for treatment, and examined the overall situation of rural women in New Zealand.
Travel subsidies
From 2006 ‘The National Travel Assistance Scheme’ has been in place, administered by the Ministry of Health, who will contribute towards travel costs if certain mileage and number of visits are met. The scheme has some tight parameters and for this reason, may not meet the requirements of all rural women. Reference to the policy can be found at www.moh.govt.nz. Costs are reimbursed, so you keep all your receipts and apply after the event. You can also request a brochure - Ministry of Health phone 0800 281 222.
Other assistance is available from Work and Income New Zealand and your local Cancer Society. Each Regional Cancer Society has slightly different criteria so please contact your local branch. Local Citizen Advice Bureaux (CAB) or Family Support Centres will know if there are shuttles or other transport to your cancer treatment centre, and in some centres these groups may even make your booking for you.
Assistance from Work and Income is income tested and most likely in the form of a ‘Disability Allowance’ to a maximum of $54.05 per week. You will need to apply for at your nearest WINZ office. The limits for the income test may surprise you so check out www.winz.govt.nz and give them a call.
Lifestyle and Environment Workshop
See Stop Cancer