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ALBURY-WODONGA BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
T he Albury-Wodonga Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the third Friday of each month, 10am to noon, at the Mitta Mitta Canoe Club building, Noreuil Park, Albury, a confidential and caring meeting, sharing
knowledge and experiences and offering comfort and friendship. Coffee and tea are supplied and you can bring nibbles to share if you wish.
PLEASE JOIN US
The Tit Tattler would not be possible without the generosity of Conway Printing at Jindera who print the newsletter without charge.
Thanks also to Kellie and Kelvin Davies of K2 Design who donate their time and skills maintaining our website and providing technical support.
And thank you to our contributors whose input helps us to pass on so much important information, advice or just something to make us laugh.
18 September AWBCSG 20th Birthday Celebration Lunch Mitta Mitta Canoe Club 11 am All past and present members, family and friends welcome RSVP 14 September to Marg 6021 4551
26 and 27 September BCNA Fundraiser- Flowering Clivia Display
Taminick Gap Rd, Wangaratta South
13 October– 8 December Encore Program– to enrol contact Sigrid Brown 0428 253 046
16 October AWBCSG MEETING 10 am Mitta Mitta Canoe Club Breast Cancer Awareness Month
20 October and 1 December LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER– to enrol contact Rosemary Creed 02 6021 3604
24-25 October Relay for Life Alexandra Park Sporting Precinct, East Albury www.relayforlife.org.au to register
20 November AWBCSG MEETING 10 am Mitta Mitta Canoe Club
4 December AWBCSG Christmas Lunch 12pm Stanley Room Commercial Club, Albury
DATES FOR THE DIARY
It was with great pleasure that we welcomed Charlene Gehrig and
Val Symons from the Rotary Club of Albury, to our June meeting,
with Charlene presenting us with a cheque for $3,500 from the Rotary
Club of Albury Foundation. The foundation was set up by the Club after
past member Graham Turner bequest money to the Rotary Club. This
generous donation from the Rotary Club of Albury Foundation will allow
us to continue our Pamper Bag Project for another two years. So far
this year Jude and Jodie, our McGrath Breast Care Nurses, have
presented 80 bags to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.
AWBCSG are extremely grateful to the Foundation for their financial
support towards our project and to the other cancer related projects
in Albury Wodonga they have supported.
Rotary Club of Albury
- A Generous Grant
hydrotherapy pool every Wednesday at 12.30pm. For women who have or have had breast cancer, the exercises are gentle and focus mainly on lymphatic drainage. The format for the class is to meet and change in time for a 12.30pm start, stretching, gentle exercise using equipment and relaxation to finish. The class ends at 1.30pm The cost is $5.
H ydrotherapy is held at the Albury Base Hospital
CONTACTS
Committee Heather Knott (02) 6059 2314
Robyn Daly (02) 6021 5353
Marg Harrison (02) 6021 4551
Jodie Hart 0407 035 768
Marlene Gibson (02) 6021 6364
Barbara Iverson (02) 6056 1437
Feel free to contact any committee member for information or support.
Correspondence to: Heather Knott– Facilitator 4 Armstrong Terrace West Wodonga Vic 3690 [email protected] Editor: Heather Knott [email protected] Sub editor: Robyn Daly [email protected] Hydrotherapy contact: Marlene Gibson (02) 6021 6364
Heather with Happenings
Hi Everyone, Welcome to another edition of the tit tattler. I hope you have managed to stay warm and well over winter. Each day for the last six weeks seeing the daffodils blooming in my garden reminded me that spring was just around the corner.
As you would have read on the front page, we have been successful in receiving funding from Rotary Club of Albury Foundation to continue our Pamper Bag Project. It came at a very opportune time as the funding we had received from the Department of Health Victoria had just ended. It was lovely to welcome Charlene and Val to our June meeting and to hear about how the Foundation came about. Our local community is so lucky to have generous individuals such as Graham Turner who chose to bequest money to the Rotary Club of which he was a member. We are one of many organisations to benefit from the Rotary Club Foundation and the wonderful work all the service clubs in our area do for groups such as ours as well as the bigger projects like Hilltop and the Regional Cancer Centre. A big thank you.
Our July meeting was held at La Maison– a very relaxed and casual morning chatting and enjoying morning tea sponsored by Hart Accounting Lavington. A big thank you to Peter Hart for supporting our group in this way.
I occasionally call in to the craft group at Hilltop on my way to hydrotherapy. The last two times I have been lucky enough to go the day they have been presenting a beanie to a cancer patient. The first time it was Renita receiving the 50th beanie they had knitted then it was Salvatore receiving the 100th. The craft group is going really well with several new members but also welcoming patients and/or carers staying at Hilltop who are enjoying the socialising and support this group brings. The girls have also started knitting fingerless mittens and beanies for the men attending chemo. It is a hive of activity. Well done Veronica for this initiative and to Helen at Hilltop for accommodating the group.
Jodie Hart, a McGrath Breast Care Nurse and AWBCSG member, was our guest speaker at our August meeting. Jodie recently attended the BCN conference in Perth which was part of the Cancer
Nurses Congress. Jodie found the discussions on survivorship of interest and has joined a Hume RICS working party to explore what is currently available for all cancer streams and where to next for cancer patients in Albury/Wodonga.
As this edition goes to print we will have had Daffodil Day, an annual Cancer Council fundraiser. Thank you to those who supported this event by donating or purchasing merchandise. I know many of you like to collect the daffodil pin each year to add to your collection.
This year there have been many significant celebrations by ladies in our group, that we have been aware of, with two 70th birthdays, an 80th and 90th birthday and a 50th and 60th wedding anniversary. To those who have also celebrated and we weren’t aware of it– please accept our warm wishes and congratulations. Now it is time for AWBCSG to celebrate. At our September meeting on Friday 18th we will be celebrating our 20th Birthday. All are welcome to come and join us from 11am with lunch provided. We would love you to come and be a part of this milestone with family and friends also welcome to come. AWBCSG has supported many hundreds of women diagnosed with breast cancer in this time and we are very grateful to Carol Stevenson and Judy Gray for all their hard work establishing the group back in 1995. For catering purposes please let Marg Harrison know by Monday 14th September on 6021 4551.
A reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Border Relay for Life. We will be holding our Mini Field of Women in conjunction with Brave Hearts later in the year. Hope you can support some or all of these events.
By the time our summer edition comes out we will have had our final get together for the year - our Christmas Buffet lunch, so mark your diary- Friday 4th December, Stanley Room, Commercial Club, Albury from 12 noon. Marg Harrison will take the bookings for our lunch- 6021 4551. The cost is $40 a head and there will be no Kris Kringle.
Enjoy the spring weather.
Heather Knott
Complimentary
Therapies Oncology Massage
Therapists
Katrina Crawford– Albury 0408 413 894 Julie Walker– Wodonga 0438 593 979 Samantha Lowe– Lavington 0407 686 838 Paula Hall– Porepunka 03 5756 2050 Bronwyn Sutton– Corowa 0421 302 656 Heather Hay-Deniliquin 0407 626 148
A reminder Yvonne Hargreaves is once again opening her beautiful garden at Blue Wren Cottage, Taminick Gap Road, Wangaratta South as a fundraiser for BCNA on Saturday 26th or Sunday 27th September from 9.30am to 5pm.
A minimum $5 donation into the BCNA tin provided is appreciated. As each new season rolls around there are more and more new colours and styles of clivias appearing …..which is thrilling- peaches , apricots, many excellent reds, deep vivid oranges, bronzes, bi-colours, many different shades of creams and yellows
and a rare pink of flowering size so the season looks promising!!! There will be some plants on sale which have been donated by Yvonne’s clivia growing peers. Yvonne can be contacted by phone on 03 5725 7244 or 0447 194 602 or emailed at [email protected]
Interesting Research
Breast cancer hope Women who receive radiation to both lymph nodes and chest after breast cancer surgery can significantly boost their chance of remaining cancer-free a decade on. International co-chair of the trial, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Associate Professor Boon Chua, said the results would allow patients and clinicians to make more informed decisions about treatment for early stage breast cancer. The study followed more than 1,800 women from Australia, Canada and the US for 10 years, comparing the outcome after breast conserving surgery of those who received radiation to both the chest wall and lymph nodes with those who just received breast radiation. After a decade, 82 per cent of women who received the double radiation were free of cancer, compared with 77 per cent of those who had just chest radiation. Herald Sun, 24 July 2015 Hunt for cancer’s missing links A ground breaking study, being undertaken by Flinders University, will look at the role alcohol, obesity and stress play in a woman’s path to developing breast cancer. Study head Dr Emma Miller said breast cancer rates in middle-aged Australian women – aged 45 to 64 – had increased considerably over recent years, at a time when alcohol consumption, obesity and stress were also increasing. “We know a lot of genetic and hormonal factors are recognised as being important risk factors for breast cancer,” Dr Miller said. “But what I am interested in is how we can minimise that risk, so I’m looking at other important risk factors. I want to look at obesity and weight gain over the years. I want to look at trends in alcohol consumption and I want to look at its impact on its trajectory to breast cancer.” Adelaide Advertiser 25 July 2015 Hormone could treat cancer Half of breast cancer patients could benefit from having the widely available female hormone progesterone added to their treatment, research suggests. The hormone is involved in signals between cell molecules that hold back tumor growth, scientist have found. Experts have long been puzzled by the fact that breast cancer patients whose tumors have progesterone receptors– molecules sensitive to the hormone– often have a better outlook. The new study shows how the progesterone receptors “talks to” another receptor sensitive to the hormone oestrogen, which fuels breast cancer in a large number of cases. This has the effect of applying a break on the oestrogen receptor’s ability to stimulate tumors. Herald Sun 10 July These are an edited summary of news items in daily capital city newspapers. Produced by Cancer Council Australia, it aims to keep stakeholders up-to-date on media reporting of cancer. The articles do not necessarily represent the views of Cancer Council Australia.
A sparkling symbol of survival
BCNA’s beautiful Survivor's Pin features pink diamantes and has
been designed especially for breast cancer survivors. It is instantly
recognizable between our members as a symbol of love and support.
The pin is 3cm high x 1cm wide.
Our group is going to place a bulk order in November. If you would like
to purchase one of these pins for $20 please phone Heather on 6059 2314
or 0431 559 733 or email to [email protected] with name
and contact details by November 1st
Craft Group
Come and join us in the meeting room at Hilltop Patient and Carer Accommodation Centre 600 Keene St, Albury on Wednesdays at 10am. All are welcome– cancer survivors, carers and friends. For more information phone Veronica 6025 2572.
KNITTED KNOCKERS Help required
We are looking for another local organiser to
manage the knitted knockers program. You will be
required to oversee the knitters and organise to
distribute the knitted knockers as needed. Being
able to knit is not necessary. Please
contact Gwenda on 6056 0045 for
more information or if you are able
to or would like to help.
AWBCSG ladies at our July meeting at
La Maison enjoying the Morning Tea
sponsored by Hart Accounting Lavington
Renita Carr of Barooga was presented with the
50th beanie knitted by the Craft Group whilst at
Chemo. Renita had joined the Craft Group ladies
on several occasions while staying at Hilltop.
Kathy Murray, Gladys Wise, Heather Knott,
Marg Harrison and Robyn Daly at Remembrance
Ceremony for Brave Heart Denise Arnel
Busy knitting and chatting at the
Wednesday Craft Group at Hilltop
BRAVE HEARTS NEWS Winter is a very quiet time for Brave Hearts, a time of recovery and decision making. Our end of paddling season
reflection saw us meet most of our objectives for the past 12 months with new objectives set for the coming
season.
In June, it was with very saddened hearts we said farewell to a
treasured member, Denise Arnel. After a very moving service at
Lester & Son in Wodonga, Denise was laid to rest in the cemetery
at Tawonga South, an area she loved. Then on the Sunday we held
a beautiful Remembrance Ceremony down at the lake, which
included her husband Lyndon and 3 sons, Craig, Dean and
Christopher. She will be deeply missed.
A huge thanks to Rotary Club of Wodonga Central who presented us with a $400 cheque at their annual change over
dinner. We have a close link to the Rotary Club which organizes the local annual Mother’s Day Classic. Five Brave
Hearts attended the dinner.
Fiona Jones and I attended the BCNA National Summit in Melbourne on July 16th and
17th, along with nearly 200 other BCNA members. Fiona took part in the ‘Engaging
Culturally Diverse Communities’ workshop stream and I chose the ‘Engaging Online
Communities’ stream. We gained much knowledge and insight into the workings of
BCNA, their strategies and ongoing commitment to women who have had a Breast
Cancer diagnosis.
Sunday 19th July was Brave Hearts on the Murray Inc AGM. The committee for 2015/16 is President—Jenny Black,
Vice Pres- Suzy Watson, Secretary—Di Laundess, Treasurer—Sandy Boyd and Committee Members- Fiona Jones,
Mel McIntyre, Julie Bowater, Thelma Wright. A huge thank you to Fiona for a brilliant job as treasurer and welcome
to Sandy who has taken on this role.
Our first regatta for the season will be the Battle on the Barwon on Sept. 12th. This is a 6 km paddle and only the
fit and prepared paddlers will take part. We wish them well!
Each Sunday in September is ‘a come and try day’ for both serious and pleasure cruise paddlers. Contact Leanne on
0407 805 807 for times. Cheers Mel
Saturday 18th July saw the amazing Debbie Kent and her wonderful band of
helpers at North Albury Football Club, put on another Pink Luncheon in aid
of Brave Hearts. A massive $12,000 was raised and all who attended agreed
it was the best one ever!
YWCA Encore Gentle Hydro-therapy Exercise Program
Eight week program - 2 hours per week for women
who have had breast cancer at any time in their lives.
The program is FREE of charge and held at Albury Base Hospital Tuesdays 3-5pm
The next program will be 13 October – 8 December If you would like to participate, register now
so you don’t miss out.
Contact Sigrid Brown: 0428 253 046
THOUGHTS, PRAYERS and RAINBOWS
For any suffering loss, grief, sadness, any illness, just not feeling good or awaiting results, our thoughts, prayers and rainbows go out to you.
Gail S, Noelle D, Jenny R, Thel W, Raelene M, Annie M, Gerda N and Vicki H
If you know of anyone who could use a thought, prayer and a rainbow, please let us know so they can be included in the next newsletter.
‘Love can bridge all distances.
Surely the substance of rainbows is love.’
Holbrook/Culcairn Cancer Support Group
Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month from 1pm alternating between Holbrook and Culcairn.
7 September 1pm at Culcairn 9 November 1pm at Holbrook 7 December Christmas Function– details to be advised
Enquiries to Judy 0409 445 051 or Sharyn 0428 566 802
Complimentary Therapies Border Wellness Circle is held every second Thursday, 10.30am- 3pm, in the Boardroom of Murray Valley Private Hospital, Nordsvan Drv, Wodonga . Women who have experienced any form of cancer are welcome to come along and enjoy complimentary therapies, self care activities as well as craft and pamper days. $2.50 covers lunch. Come along for a fun day of relaxation and friendship September 3rd and 17th, October 1st, 15th and 29th, November 12th and 26th, December 3rd and 10th. For more details contact Brigitte on 0400 681 720 or email [email protected]
Lymphoedema Massage Therapist. Sue Butcher is a registered lymphoedema massage therapist and has rooms at 468 Swift St Albury and 15 McInnes St Holbrook. Sue can be contacted on 0427 369 570 or [email protected] massageresults.com.au
A new online resource has been developed by Cancer Council NSW after research findings showed that about 62 per cent
of cancer patients are believed to experience a range of sexual issues as a result of their cancer or treatment. The research
also showed that at least 30 per cent did not seek support. The online resource, Rekindle, offers advice and information on
sexual changes and intimacy issues after a cancer diagnosis.
Rekindle can be used on any device, including laptops, tablets and smart phones. It is available
24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is suitable for people who are at least six months
post-treatment, and has12 sections tailored to gender, relationship status and sexual orientation.
The Rekindle project was funded by the Australian Research Council. It can be accessed at
rekindleonline.org.au Rekindle
LOOK GOOD… FEEL BETTER for 2015
Sessions will be held on the following Tuesdays 9.15am – 12 noon in Wodonga
October 20th and December 1st Please register at least 3 weeks prior to
the session you wish to attend. Contact Rosemary Creed 02 6021 3604 or email on
Do you have any unwanted goods or clothing? Please consider donating clothes for men, women and children, shoes, handbags, household goods (no furniture), books and jewelery, any electrical items in good working order are also welcome as well as good quality rags to sell to the automotive industry. Please drop off any of these items to the Op shops run by Albury Wodonga Health as all profits made are donated back to both hospitals to purchase much needed medical equipment. Call in at 453 Swift St, Albury Mon -Fri 9-5 or Sat 9 –1 or 45 High St, Wodonga Mon -Fri 9 –4 or Sat 9 -1
Please advise if your mailing details are incorrect or if you do not wish to receive this newsletter. The newsletter can be emailed to you or you can access it from our website.
Have you visited our website lately? You can check out the calendar for details of our next meeting, and in the section ‘all the latest news’, you can subscribe to the newsletter and organise to be
notified when the website has been updated . Log in at http://awbcsg.com
The aim of the Albury-Wodonga Breast Cancer Support Group is to provide a confidential and caring meeting place where a group of women who have or who have had breast cancer can share knowledge, information and experiences. We can give and receive comfort, friendship and be a source of hope and acceptance to other women on their journey.
If undelivered
Please return to:
A–W BCSG
4 Armstrong Terrace
West Wodonga 3690
WISE WORDS Strength doesn’t come from what you can do,
It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t. Rikki Rogers
Pauline Stanyer (retired BCN) 2nd from left on a trek to Mt Everest Base Camp wearing a BCNA pink poncho
