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Media release, 1 October 2019
BCAC is extremely disappointed to read that access to cancer medicines does not appear to be a priority for New Zealand’s new cancer control agency according to its national director, Diana Sarfati, in a recent interview.
Lachlan McKenzie is running the Queenstown Marathon in November to raise money for BCAC and says he is loving the training.
“I didn’t necessarily expect it to be so enjoyable but it’s been awesome, I’m getting great support and feel really happy raising money for BCAC and the work they do for women with breast cancer,” Lachlan says.
This article was written by Emily Searle at PINC&STEEL.
It isn’t breaking news that exercise is beneficial for everyone.
It isn’t even news that exercise is beneficial for those with a cancer diagnosis. This area of research, and the evidence that exercising has positive outcomes for patients both during cancer treatment and in survivorship has been growing for over 10 years.
The last few seasons have been challenging for the Pink Dragons breast cancer survivors’ dragon boat team as their crew numbers have decreased quite dramatically. Despite their best attempts to recruit it came to a head last year when, after starting the season as Pink Dragons, they had to amalgamate with a newly formed mixed team just to continue paddling. They became Brave Dragons for the rest of the season. They have never lost sight of recruiting breast cancer survivors, with a view to eventually getting a full team of 20+ paddlers back up and running once again as the Pink Dragons.
When Ethna Renner was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, it was the most daunting news she had ever received. Suddenly she was faced with something she had no control over.
Her family have been amazing and work has been really supportive, she says. She is also full of praise for the hospital staff and the medical team who looks after her. “You feel like you’re special rather than just a number.”
The Auckland Dragon Boat Association is having a series of Open Days for all dragon boat teams so prospective paddlers can come along and have a go!
Check out all the recent news from the Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust in their latest newsletter.
January 2020
Biotech creating a new therapy for hot flushes in breast cancer patients launches clinical trials in Auckland and Christchurch.
Metavivors and BCAC are delighted that two vital breast cancer medicines will soon be funded.
Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) stands with all people living with advanced breast cancer and their supporters who have advocated for changes in medicines funding and the health system. We also fully support those with other cancers and diseases who have been advocating for change. The voices raised have been from individuals, disease groups and through the newly formed broad coalition, Patient Voice Aotearoa (PVA).