BreaCan is today marking 10 years since the first woman touched by cancer walked through our door seeking support.

Established in 2003 by Women’s Health Victoria, the Breast Cancer Action Group and a consortium of Women’s Health Services and funded by the State Government, this fledgling service grew out of the voices of women with breast cancer advocating for support outside of the hospital environment.

“Over the past 10 years BreaCan has provided access to information and support to thousands of Victorian women learning to live their ‘new normal’ after a cancer diagnosis” says Lee Kennedy, BreaCan Manager.

BreaCan provides, amongst other services, support through its unique volunteer peer support program, women diagnosed with breast or a gynaecological cancer speak face-to-face or via phone with a woman who is also living with cancer. Mary, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, has volunteered every month for the past 10 years at BreaCan and says, “Each day at BreaCan is as rewarding as the next, I never take for granted the ability of being able to make someone’s journey through breast cancer a little bit easier, a lot less frightening. It is a gift to be able to lighten someone’s load through sharing, understanding and empowering.”

“Better screening, increased personal awareness and better treatment outcomes means more and more women will be living with cancer. This makes community based services like ours, that focus on supporting women to live well, even more important over the next ten years” comments Lee.

Help us celebrate and support us into the next decade Make a Donation today.