Spirit Newsletter | November

November 2017
providing personalised emotional, practical and financial
support and care to people affected by breast cancer
newsletter of breast cancer care wa
“It was totally unexpected,
but very much appreciated,
and is certainly something
which I will treasure, as a
reminder of Louise and the
challenges she has had
to work through since her
breast cancer diagnosis,”
- Di.
Soulful Survivor Sisters
Louise is a 44 year old woman who self-referred to Breast
Cancer Care WA to receive counselling support following her
breast cancer diagnosis. She had been experiencing ‘lumpy’
breasts for the previous 12-24 months, but discovered that
a lump in her left breast was becoming larger, with itchiness
and discolouration around her left nipple. Louise saw her GP
who organised for her to undergo investigations at one of the
metropolitan Breast Assessment Centres, where the results
revealed she did have breast cancer.
At the surgical planning appointment,
Louise was initially advised that she
would be a suitable candidate for breast
conserving surgery, however, her breast
surgeon recommended that she undergo
further testing and have an MRI, to learn
more about the breast cancer. This
changed the course of events for her; it
was discovered that Louise’s cancer was
quite significantly larger than first thought,
so her suggested surgical plan was
changed to removal of the entire breast.
Louise felt that the reason behind
this change in suggested surgery was
explained very clearly to her, however, it
was the rapidity of this change that caused
her significant emotional distress, as she
felt that she had so little time to adjust to
the idea of losing her breast. Louise went
on to have her mastectomy and a course
of chemotherapy, followed by hormone
therapy medication.
Breast Cancer Care WA provided
counselling, Breast Care Nursing support
as well as transport to some of her
appointments, which Louise found very
helpful during this challenging period.
All of Louise’s extended family live in
Queensland, however, her mum and her
sister did come over to Perth to provide
some much needed support during
the initial stages of her diagnosis and
treatment.
Louise completed all of her active
treatment in May 2017 and then decided
to head over to Queensland to spend
some quality time with her family which
then changed into a permanent relocation!
In the few weeks between her last
chemotherapy treatment and travelling over
East, Louise decided to design T-shirts
to gift to the people who had provided
support to her during her treatment.
Our McGrath Breast Care Nurse Di and one
of our lovely volunteers, Anjali, were proud
recipients of these gorgeous t-shirts.
In this issue
Connecting with Nature...................... 2
Ease the stress of the festive season.3
Debbie’s Story.................................. 4
News................................................ 5
Community Champions...................... 6
Upcoming Events.............................. 7
We need your help............................. 8
Breast Cancer Care WA, 80 Railway Street, Cottesloe WA 6011 l (08) 9324 3703
info@breastcancer.org.au l www.breastcancer.org.au

What if doing something very simple,
enjoyable and inexpensive could make
you feel all of the following?
• Physically relaxed and at ease
• Healthily responsive and alert –
sharpened performance
• Psychologically adaptive and flexible
• Emotionally stable
• Relationally connected
• Spiritually balanced
• Resilient
Connecting with Nature
It’s as easy as immersing yourself in
nature! And what better time of year
than Spring when there’s an abundance
of wildflowers. Whether it be sitting in a
garden, strolling along the beach, looking
up at the trees, watching a sunset,
focusing on a rose, walking a bush track
– it’s wildflower season! There is so
much research evidence proving multiple
health benefits.
When you relax and tune in to a natural
environment using any or all of your
5 senses (smell, sound, sight, touch
or taste), you make a choice to give
yourself time and space for your central
nervous system to down-regulate,
resulting in substantial changes in
metabolic rate, slowed heart rate and
breath, muscular relaxation, lowered
blood pressure, hormone balance and
much more.
“Repeated activation of the relaxation
response can reverse sustained problems
in the body and mend the internal wear
and tear brought on by stress.”
- Herbert Benson, MD
In addition, a daily dose of sunlight is
the best source of Vitamin D, which
is essential for immune system
maintenance and improved sleep!
Studies reveal that early morning
exposure to sunlight will help recalibrate
our sleep cycle – in line with natural
circadian rhythms. Our eyes will also be
appreciative of sunlight which has been
shown to help prevent Computer Vision
Syndrome (caused by staring at a screen
for prolonged periods).
“Earthing” is the new term for grounding
yourself with the earth and therefore
connecting with the earth’s electric
energy. If you take your shoes off and
allow your feet to touch the natural
environment for 15mins, you may well
feel anti-inflammatory effects (Davis,
2017). According to James Oschman,
Ph.D, barefoot is best but even wearing
shoes that have soles made of leather or
hide can have beneficial transformative
and energising effects, including
resolution of jet-lag.
A vast collection of psychological
research speaks of the marked decrease
in cortisol (the stress hormone), a
happiness effect through the release
of endorphins (natural pain and stress
fighters) and a boost in serotonin (the
feel good transmitter), that has been
shown to improve mood, empathy,
mental clarity, emotional stability,
altruism and feelings of love.
So, make the best choice for your health
and take your body and mind outside –
enjoy nature’s many restorative effects
- even for 5 mins at a time.
“If the sight of the blue skies fills you
with joy, if a blade of grass springing
up in the fields has power to move
you, if the simple things of nature
have a message that you understand,
rejoice, for your soul is alive.”
- Eleonora Duse
Introducing Sally Dare
We are delighted to welcome our new Support Services Manager,
Sally Dare, to the Breast Cancer Care WA team.
Sally began her career in nursing and midwifery, working in both hospitals and the
community. She spent seven years at the Cancer Council, building her skills as the
Manager of Regional Support Services. Sally has a love of fresh healthy food and has
also spent time managing the café at the popular Perth City Farm.
“Supporting people with cancer has taught me gratitude, the value of life, and how
important it is to keep living the best life I can. Meeting new people in diverse
communities has allowed me to understand the importance of ‘”personalised”
supportive care in the world of cancer. I’m looking forward to working with the team
of breast care nurses and counsellors at Breast Cancer Care WA to further build our
ability to offer support to the 1,500 women and handful of men that are diagnosed
with breast cancer each year in WA.”

Ease the stress of the festive season
Christmas and New Year are usually times of love, joy and happiness. Unfortunately for many people
the Holiday season can be a period of unhappiness and exhaustion, especially for those who may
have undergone a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Your health can have a huge impact on
how you perceive this festive time of year. Family misunderstandings, economic difficulties and
loneliness can all contribute to feelings of stress or depression. Physical tiredness as a result of
treatment or ongoing medication, coupled with ideas of your health or appearance can also bring
you down.
Here are some tips to ease the stress:
• Before you find yourself tied up with too many activities
and obligations, decide what activities have a positive effect
on you and offer something meaningful and enjoyable.
Take part in those you enjoy, and stay away from those you
don’t like.
• Review the gatherings you “must” attend and see how you
feel about them. You always have the choice of saying “no”.
• Take the focus off Christmas Day: with family life becoming
more complex, explore ways to come together at other
times such as Christmas Eve or Boxing Day.
• Try to have realistic expectations of what you are capable of
and avoid activities that create feelings of stress. Allow time
for yourself to do things that are important for you.
• Try “living” every day of the holiday season and take
pleasure in the small things.
• Make a conscious effort to list all the positive things you
experienced and were grateful for during the year.
• Avoid excessive costs and only spend what you can afford.
Try a Secret Santa and give one gift per person involved.
• Spend Christmas with people you love, if possible.
• Avoid tension: this is not the time to try and resolve past
hurts.
• Ask for help and accept it – get your family or friends to all
bring a dish, or let someone help you with the cleaning up.
• If you are spending this time of year alone, why not attend
a community event or your local church? Use this as an
opportunity to do something you haven’t done before.
• Take time for yourself and get adequate sleep and rest.
Relax, listen to music, read or just enjoy the beauty of
nature.
If you are concerned about the festive season, contact us to talk with a counsellor on (08) 9324 3703 or
info@breastcancer.org.au.
Spirit Newsletter November 2017 l Page 3

Debbie is one woman who has
been through it all – as a full time
working, single mother of three
beautiful children she was told just
before Christmas she had breast
cancer.
Debbie’s Story
In the 10 working days before Christmas, it’s estimated nearly 50 women in Western Australia will
be diagnosed with breast cancer. Next year, thousands more will follow. Every single one will need
dedicated support.
It’s devastating to think how those women and their families
will cope over what should be a ‘festive’ and happy season.
But together we can help them through this difficult time.
Your wonderful donations this year have been so appreciated,
but sadly the demand for our services never ends. By giving
another urgent Christmas gift today, you will continue to help
brighten what might seem like a very dark time for a woman
and her family who may have nowhere else to turn.
For Debbie, your vital donation to Breast Cancer Care WA
meant she wouldn’t lose her house and that her children
could stay where they felt most secure. Because of generous
people like you, they didn’t have to leave their school or their
friends and she had the emotional and physical support she
needed through the toughest of times.
Breast Cancer Care WA is the only organisation in Western
Australia to provide practical emotional and financial
support immediately for a woman alone or a whole
family...and without government funding, support can only
come from people like you.
“We were out to dinner when I got the call. We went
straight home upset and crying. My 17 year old son Jack
said it was the worst night of his life, not knowing what lay
ahead for all of us.”
What followed was the toughest time of all their lives,
but now, with the worst (hopefully) behind them, Debbie
would like to give every woman in WA with breast cancer a
message of hope… hope she found in generous people
like you who give to Breast Cancer Care WA.
“As a single mum of 3 children and the only bread winner,
the panic I felt about how I was going to hold it together
was worse than the diagnosis. I wondered ‘How can we
possibly survive with no income’?
Now Debbie and her kids have so much to look forward to,
including Debbie’s 2018 wedding!
“It was like having a fairy godmother visit when
Breast Care Nurse Denise came to see me. I broke
down and sobbed when she told me the support
Breast Cancer Care WA could provide. It was the
biggest relief I have ever experienced. Knowing they
will continue to be there, no matter what the future
holds means the world to us.”
Though she’s had to monitor her health closely and weather
two health scares in the last few years, she knows that she
can turn to Breast Cancer Care WA any time she needs to
because of donors like you.
“Without the support of generous
people who donate and make the
services Breast Cancer Care WA
available I just don’t know how we
would have survived.”
You can donate securely online today at www.breastcancer.org.au
or phone your donation in on (08) 9324 3703.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.

News
2017 saw 42 incredible individuals take part in the fifth anniversary of Jump for Jane. In groups of five they
took to the skies in a 15,000ft tandem skydive over Rockingham Beach.
Jump for Jane began in 2013 in honour of former Breast
Cancer Care WA board member, Jane Loring. Jane sadly
passed away from breast cancer, with her family choosing
to remember her by organising a skydive. Five years on, the
event is bigger than ever and encourages people from all
over WA to take the ultimate leap of faith to support West
Australians affected by breast cancer.
This year the event raised over $40,000 vital funds that
will provide breast care nurses, counsellors and financial
assistance, free of charge, to those that need help most. A
huge thank you to everyone who helped raise funds for Jump
for Jane and to those who came down to support our jumpers
on the day. Thank you also to Skydive Australia for their
support in helping make this event happen each year.
Fly Fishing
This year 19 ladies made the journey
down to Manjimup to take part in
Breast Cancer Care WA’s annual fly
fishing expedition.
Fly fishing is known to help people suffering
with Lymphoedema, a possible side
effect caused by breast cancer treatment.
Lymphoedema is a collection of fluid in the arms or legs that
causes painful swelling. In breast cancer patients, it can be
a side effect of having lymph nodes removed from cancer
surgery. The arm and shoulder movements associated with fly
fishing can help reduce the swelling caused by Lymphoedema,
as well as promoting good arm health.
There are also emotional benefits to fly fishing. The weekend
away is a great time to relax and escape the everyday
stresses of treatments and medical appointments. Fishing
is also a very relaxing sport, with the ladies able to focus on
the task at hand and share time with people who understand
what they are going through.
“What a fantastic experience - I feel very
priveledged to have met such wonderful people
in such a wonderful place. Thank you for the
opportunity”.
Our fly fishing weekend would not be possible without the
amazing support of Recfishwest. Each year the team help a
new group of people discover the benefits of fly fishing and
a new way of coping.
Spirit Newsletter November 2017 l Page 5

Community Champions
If you would like to host your own community event, whether it is a head shave, bake sale, fun run or
something completely different, get in touch with us on 9324 3703 or visit www.breastcancer.org.au
for more details.
Boobalicious Ball
This year’s Boobalicious Ball, proudly presented by adultshop.com,
was the highlight of the social calendar for many. Now in its 14th
year, the annual June event was so much more than guests could
have imagined. The Primitive theme captured the imaginations
of everyone and the night was a spectacular whirlwind including
runway show, auctions and live entertainment, which had guests
dancing the night away until 2am.
This year the Boobalicious Ball raised $95,000 for Breast Cancer
Care WA. We are so incredibly grateful to our Chairman and also
adultshop.com Managing Director Malcolm Day, Peta Evans, Megan
Hart and the entire team for their hard work to make the event
happen, and their passionate support of Breast Cancer Care WA.
Our sincerest thanks also to each and every guest for their support
of the event – through Boobalicious you are directly supporting
West Australians affected by breast cancer right now.
We’re already looking forward to the 2018 Boobalicious Ball!
Sweetwater Rooftop Bar
Long Table Dinner
In September over 120 individuals attended the inaugural Long
Table Dinner held at Sweetwater Rooftop Bar in East Fremantle.
Over $5,000 was raised on the night, during which a spectacular
banquet dinner was shared, while guests heard from MC
Melissa Del Popolo, Breast Cancer Survivor and Volunteer. A
huge thank you to all those who attended, to Mel for her hard
work and keeping us entertained, and to the team at Sweetwater
Rooftop Bar for making the evening so special.
Paddock to Plate
Thank you to Paddock to Plate, an amazing dinner hosted in
Margaret River on Saturday 29 October. The team at Margaret
River Events Co pulled together a beautiful evening, complete
with auctions, raffles and live entertainment. Thanks to all the
guests over $3,500 was raised on the night! We are so grateful
and cannot wait until next year’s event!

Upcoming Events
Purple Breakfast
Come along on Sunday 19 November for the sixth annual
Purple Breakfast. Tickets are just $50 and include a full
cooked breakfast, raffles, silent auction and photo booth, as
well as inspiring guest speakers sharing their stories. Funds
raised on the day will be donated to Breast Cancer Care WA.
Grab your ticket now before they run out!
Location: Perth Soccer Club, 3 Lawley Street, West Perth
Date: Saturday 19 November
Tickets: $50 at www.trybooking.com/RXDN
Awakening – an exhibition of paintings by Valerie Glover
The extraordinary art of Valerie Glover will be on display in the art exhibition Awakening throughout November and
December. Come along to Café Café in Subiaco Square road to view her amazing pieces. Best yet, 10% of all
artwork sales will be shared between Breast Cancer Care WA and Lifeline. We hope to see you there!
Spirit Newsletter November 2017 l Page 7

Christmas Gift Wrapping –
we need your help!
Do you want to have fun, meet new people and make a difference this December?
Sign up to volunteer as part of our Christmas Gift Wrapping team and help us
support those that need it most this holiday season.
We need volunteers every day from 2 to 24 December at Belmont Forum, Cockburn
Gateway Shopping City, and The Square Mirrabooka.
Email volunteers@breastcancer.org.au or call on (08) 9234 3703 with your
preferred location and availability – we can’t wait to see you there!
Give the gift of support
Looking for a gift idea for that someone
who has everything? Give the gift of support
to a family affected by breast cancer this
Christmas by purchasing a gift in lieu – your
donation will bring light to the lives of those
that you have supported as well as your
special someone that you have made the
gift on behalf of.
Gifts in lieu can be purchased at Belmont
Forum, Cockburn Gateway Shopping
City and The Square Mirrabooka during
December or phone us on 9324 3703.
Closed for
Christmas!
Our office will be closed from Friday
22 December to Monday 8 January.
Our team members will be taking a
well-deserved break to rejuvenate and
come back ready to support West
Australians affected by breast cancer in
the New Year.
For emergency support during this
time, please contact:
Cancer Council Hotline: 13 11 20
Life Line Crisis Line: 13 11 14
Crisis Care: 9223 1111
Breast Cancer Care WA
80 Railway Street, Cottesloe WA 6011
(08) 9324 3703
info@breastcancer.org.au
www.breastcancer.org.au