Today is National Breast Cancer Awareness Day. For those new to The Hedge, I posted the story of my own darling Mum's journey with the disease here. That post received the second highest amount of comments ever, pipped only by the Our New Bathroom post, when the Bathroom-From-Hell became the Bathroom-From-Heaven. I reckon Mum would have had a good laugh about coming Runner-Up to a bathroom!
While I support the work researchers globally are doing in finding a medical breakthrough, my heart & dollars lie in assisting those women who have been diagnosed & are trying to find their way through the myriad of treatment options & support services. The McGrath Foundation continues to do superb work in fundraising for the money to place specialized breast care nurses in communities across Australia. The Foundation now has 64 nurses who have helped support over 10,000 Aussie families.
Breast care nurses are specially trained registered nurses who act as patient advocates, coordinating care for women experiencing breast cancer, their families and their carers. They provide accurate information, support and referral to services. The Adelaide Hills area has just been fortunate to have an application for our own BCN approved & funding granted. Kylie Campbell will be based at the Adelaide Hills Community Health Centre in Mt. Barker.
Thinking of Mum today & the mightly battle she fought. And thinking too of the 12,600 Australian women who in the next 12 months will hear those words 'You have breast cancer.' And to dear Jane & Jill & Jillie & Margie who have heard those words....stay strong.