Committee

Photo - top right shows committee members. From left to right are: Gillian Woods, Jenny Clark, Barbara Mason, Anne Iosefa, Marie Hastings and Dell Gee. (Absent Jennifer Woodroofe,Wendy Brackstone)

Barbara Mason

"From 1975 to 1996 I was a scientific officer for the Auckland Breast Cancer Study Group and then employed on a Health Research Council Grant studying insulin-like growth factors in breast cancer. During this time Barbara Holt invited me to meetings of Breast Cancer Action (now Breast Cancer Network) and I have been on the committee since 1998. Leaving oncology nursing and entering research satisfied my desire to contribute to prevention and cure of cancer. It is this same desire and the enjoyable company that keeps me on the Breast Cancer Network committee."

Anne Iosefa

Anne was diagnosed in 1989 "out of the blue" as having a largish breast tumor and after checking alternatives, [for which little information was available at that time] had a mastectomy-reconstruction done. She was introduced to BCN by a friend of hers who also had been in treatment, and became interested in this outward-looking group who were not bogged down in only-establishment treatments, having enquiring minds. Since that time prevention has become her consuming interest, working in concert with other energetic members of the committee towards this end, with a 2003 project being "Stop Cancer Where it Starts".

Dell Gee

"Although much of my life had been affected by breast cancer it was not until I joined the committee two years ago that I realised just how much information there was available about the disease that I was unaware of. I really enjoy being part of the committee and continue to be inspired by their dedication and hard work in accessing and sharing new information" Dell had her first mastectomy at the age of 23 and has a strong family history of breast cancer (including both parents). Nearly 30years after her first diagnosis she had a "gut feeling" something was wrong even after a mammogram reported nothing. As a result of asking for a second opinion another breast cancer was identified and another mastectomy followed.

Gillian Woods

"I was drawn by BCN's role of advocacy on behalf of women with breast cancer, its emphasis on empowering women by offering a wide range of information, and its boldness in allowing women to express their views - whether orthodox, alternative or questioning. I found the information offered in Upfront was more substantial than the usual leaflets and BCN gave opportunity to join others in doing something positive. BCN has always tried to 'make a difference' and it sometimes seems we are the only NZ group speaking out about preventing the disease. I love working with the bright and positive women on the committee and never fail to be awed by the resourcefulness and determination of women I meet who have experienced breast cancer." Gillian had benign breast lumps from her twenties onwards and some history of breast cancer in her family. As a result she began regular mammography earlier than most. She developed breast cancer at 46, detected by mammography.

Vicki Blacklock

"My GP believed in annual mammograms from the age of 40, so I thought I’d go along with it. After two clear mammograms I was reminded to keep up with self-examination. Oops, hadn’t done that in a while! Six weeks later I found a lump. Right mastectomy and AC chemotherapy followed. I cannot emphasis enough the need for self-examination and regular ultrasounds. I was introduced to BCN by a friend who was heavily involved with the 2007 conference. The event was fantastic. I feel privileged to be on a committee that displays so much energy on behalf of breast cancer survivors."

Liz Williams

“In August 2000 I lost my 29-year-old stepson in a car accident and six days later my father-in-law passed away. Two months after that I went for my first mammogram only to end up in hospital having a mastectomy and reconstruction of my left breast. It was my 48th birthday. The following year I began chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In February my husband, Grahame, was diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndromes). While I progressed well with my treatments, sadly Grahame developed Leukaemia. He passed away in November 2002. For a year I literally worked, ate and slept – too drained to do anything else. I finally realised my health had to come first when John Harman told me to slow down. At the time I was on Tamoxifen and have since changed to Arimadex, which I will stop taking in November – eight years after it all began. It hasn’t been easy to keep going, but accepting life’s events, having faith in my medical advisers, supportive friends and family, and adopting good nutrition have certainly helped me along the way.”

Marion Dimond

"In June 2005 I was feeling cold and placed my hand under my armpit in an attempt to keep warm. There was a lump the size of a golf ball. My GP said it was unlikely to be cancer as I was only 37, but if I had medical insurance I should get it checked out ‘just in case’. The biopsy showed it was cancer so I had a partial mastectomy followed by CEF chemo and radiotherapy. I had a relatively easy time, rarely missing a day of work. I attribute much of my reason for still being here to my healthcare team, my naturopath (I took so many supplements I rattled!) and having a good sense of humour."

Above: Left to right, Gillian Woods, Dr Jackie Blue & Sue Kedgley MPS