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BCAC has joined an international effort to improve and extend the lives of women and men living with advanced breast cancer (ABC). The ABC Global Alliance was formed in 2016 by the European School of Oncology and is a non-profit organisation based in Portugal. ABC Global Alliance’s president Dr Fatima Cardoso visited New Zealand in 2019 and was very helpful in our push with Metavivors NZ to get better access to medicines for treating advanced breast cancer.
Article supplied by Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation
"Whilst life as we know it has been put on hold, cancer rehab needs are not, and recovery can continue." Denise, Pinc&Steel Physiotherapist
Kenzie's Gift provides individual therapy packages for children and young adults experiencing grief and loss after a bereavement or diagnosis of serious illness within the family. We now have 11 therapists providing our community services nationwide and have recently launched a trio of resources designed to support children and parents during emotional and traumatic times of loss. The Memories are Forever packs are available online here https://www.kenziesgift.com/grief-loss/memories-are-forever-packs/ and can be ordered in hard copy too by contacting Kenzie's Gift.
A clinical trial that could significantly improve quality of life for women with moderate arm lymphoedema is underway in Hamilton.
For patients with low-risk early breast cancer, research presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2019 showed that treating only part of the affected breast with accelerated irradiation compares favourably with whole breast irradiation after breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy).
“That was one of my best birthdays ever,” Libby says after her friends, family and supporters gifted more than $2400 to BCAC in honour of her birthday.
“The Good Registry makes it so simple – we just set up a gift registry, told everyone about it and they dealt with the rest. I have been blown away by everyone’s generosity,” says Libby. “There’s a lot of love out there and I’m so happy that BCAC can benefit.”
BCAC’s Chair Libby Burgess is celebrating her birthday in her ‘lockdown bubble’ on 6 April. By teaming up with The Good Registry, she has turned this event into a fundraiser for BCAC. Libby has asked all her friends and supporters to give to BCAC through her gift registry instead of buying her presents.
We have received excellent information about COVID-19 for women with breast cancer from the Māori Cancer Leadership Group and the Cancer Control Agency, that you will find attached. The document, Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa messages, contains advice about treatment, the flu vaccine, how to engage with other whanau members and what to do if you experience symptoms. More information is available at www.uruta.maori.nz
BCAC is thrilled that Aotearoa New Zealand has acted so decisively and early in a bid to contain and control COVID-19 (coronavirus). There are sensible rules in place which give our country an opportunity to lead the world in effective management of this deadly virus.
As New Zealand moves to halt the spread of the new flu-like virus COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we have pulled together this information for New Zealanders with breast cancer and their families and whānau. This virus can affect lungs and airways, and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
