From: Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support scoppen@willow.orgSubject: Willow's October Newsletter

Date: October 8, 2015 at 1:59 PMTo: nathalie_baudais@mac.com

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october newsletter breast cancer awareness | extended hours | silpada | caregiver network | metastatic | bra day | eat to the beat | avon | about | donate

Breast Cancer Awareness: Shining the Spotlight on the Needs of Those Affected byBreast Cancer

There will be a lot of buzz about breast cancer in October, as Breast CancerAwareness Month is devoted to shining a spotlight on the disease for 31days. At Willow, however, every day is dedicated to helping Canadiansaffected by breast cancer, by providing vital emotional support andinformation.

Getting a diagnosis of breast cancer is an overwhelming, life-changingexperience for a woman and her loved ones. Anyone diagnosed with cancerwill experience some degree of emotional distress. It has been estimated that35% to 45% of cancer patients suffer from high levels of emotional distress,including depression and anxiety, across the course of their cancer experience. Helping to meet needs with peer support and credible information No one understands the impact a breast cancer diagnosis can have on your lifeas well as someone who has experienced it herself - a peer. The peer supportthat Willow offers - the opportunity to connect with another woman who hashad a breast cancer diagnosis - is a proven strategy to help people cope withthe emotional challenges of cancer.

Research has also shown thatcancer patients with fulfilledinformation needs and those whoexperience less information barriers,in general have a better quality of lifeand lower levels of depression andanxiety. Willow's Support Team workstogether with our health librarian to

together with our health librarian toprovide people with the most currentand credible information that bestmeets their needs.

Willow is here throughout the year to help ensure that no one needs to facebreast cancer alone. Each day, we provide women and men with importantinformation and resources about breast cancer, share valuable coping skills,and offer realistic hope and encouragement.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month there are many ways you cancontribute to the vital support services Willow provides year round. Pleaseconsider making a donation, purchasing a Pink Out Loud bracelet or attendingour fundraiser Eat to the Beat, to play your part in ensuring that no one facesbreast or hereditary cancer alone. Read the full blog post here.

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New Extended Hours for Willow's Helpline

When you call Willow's helpline, you are able to speak with a highly informed and compassionatemember of our Support Team, each of whom has had a breast cancer or high-risk diagnosis. They canrelate to your concerns and answer many questions you may have. Our toll-free helpline is available to allCanadians at 1.888.778.3100. To provide greater access to this vital service, our helpline hours havebeen extended on Thursdays to 8 pm EST (5 pm PST). Helpline hours (EST)Monday: Tuesday:Wednesday:Thursday:Friday:

9 am - 5 pm 9 am - 5 pm9 am - 5 pm9 am - 8 pm9 am - 5 pm

Outside these hours, you can leave a voicemail and we will get back to you the next business day. Questions can also be sent to our Support Team by email at support@willow.org.

Willow's website and online community are also sources of information and support that are available at alltimes.

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Shop for a Cause

Silpada Pink Out Loud Charm Bracelet

$10 from the purchase of this stunning charm bracelet withelements of sterling silver, brass and Swarovskicrystals will benefit Willow.

The bracelet is the perfect companion to the BraveryBracelet and Necklace which have raised an incredible$60,000 for Willow in the last two years. With the purchase of this bracelet, you will help ensure thatno one needs to face breast cancer alone. To purchase yours, visit silpada.ca

To purchase yours, visit silpada.ca

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Special Partners in Care Webinar Series: Caring for a Loved One with Breast orOvarian Cancer

At Willow, we hear first-hand from the partners of women with breast or hereditary cancer about thechallenges associated with providing support and care to their loved ones.

Willow is proud to partner with The Caregiver Network, and Ovarian Cancer Canada on an importantinitiative that will increase the support available for partners of women with breast or ovarian cancerthrough a series of seven webinars designed to address the emotional, practical and supportive concernsof partners, and provide the opportunity to gain insights from their peers. The webinars will be offered inFrench and English, with contributions from psychotherapists, social workers and genetic counsellors.

This series will be a unique offering and highly tailored to meet the needs of caregivers navigating thebreast or ovarian cancer experience.

October 13 Session 1: Understanding breast cancer and how to support your partner throughher diagnosis and treatment

October 20 Session 2: Understanding Ovarian Cancer: for the newly diagnosedOctober 27 Session 3: Practical Resources: what to expect and how to helpNovember 3 Session 4: Caregiver Support: Where do I fit in? What about my needs?November 10 Session 5: Life after Treatment: adjusting to a 'new normal' for you and herNovember 17 Session 6: Living with Metastatic Breast or Ovarian CancerNovember 24 Session 7: Living with a Gene Mutation: impact on the family

To learn more and to register, click here.

In partnership with:

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October 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there will be much focus onpreventing and curing breast cancer, as well as the stories of thosewho have successfully "fought the battle" with the disease. Metastaticbreast cancer, which is breast cancer that has spread to other parts ofthe body, has generally not received much attention from our society. Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, taking place on October 13,is intended to shed light on this advanced stage of breast cancer, andrecognize the needs, as well as the strength and hope that womenliving with metastatic breast cancer represent. Click here to learn more about metastatic breast cancer and the resources Willow offers women living withthe disease.

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Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day 2015

is breast reconstruction the right choice for me?

Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA Day) is an initiative designed to promote education,awareness and access for women who may wish to consider post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.

As the national coordinator of BRA Day Canada, Willow is proud to present BRA Day 2015 onWednesday, October 21. Last year over 2,000 women attended 17 events across the country.

FIND AN EVENT

FIND AN EVENT IN YOUR AREA

WHAT HAPPENS AT A BRA DAY EVENT?

All events are free of cost and offer an opportunity to learn more about your breast reconstructionoptions. Events are organized by the leading plastic surgeons across Canada. Each event is unique andtailored to the women in that community.

Most events feature a variety of the following...

LECTURES: Hear from leading plastic surgeons on the latest in breast reconstruction. Q+A:A place for women to have their breast reconstruction questions answered by the experts.WILLOW'S SHOW & TELL LOUNGE:Where women have the unique opportunity to view the real life results of all types of breast reconstructionand connect with the women who have been through it.PATIENT/ DOCTOR EDUCATION TABLES:Women can receive information on different types of breast reconstruction simultaneously from a doctorand patient.EXHIBIT AREA:Where women can learn about products and services to help them along the way.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRA DAY

@BRAwareness

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Toronto's Top Culinary Event Celebrates 20 Delectable Years!

You are invited to a premier gourmet experience - Willow's Eat to the Beat.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Eat to the Beat is a mecca for urban foodies who come to experience the bestOntario's culinary scene has to offer. It is the only event in Canada that exclusively features the talent of 60 femalechefs - women supporting women through the challenges that come with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Guests have the opportunity to meet top chefs and enjoy personally-prepared savoury and sweet dishes along withwine, beer and a selection of non-alcoholic libations from 20 of the finest beverage purveyors.

Click here to see who's cooking at this year's Eat to the Beat.

DATE: Tuesday, October 27th, 2015TIME: 7:00 pmVENUE: Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, TorontoCOST: General Admission Ticket: $175

(A tax receipt will be issued for all ticket purchases for the maximum allowable amount)n

BUY TICKETS

Funds raised are directed towards Willow's free services that provide empathetic support and credibleinformation critical to helping women and their families cope with a breast and hereditary cancer diagnosis.

@EattotheBeat_TO

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Avon's 'Be a Breast Friend Campaign'

Avon Foundation for Women, a proud Willow partner, has a long and celebrated history of supportingbreast cancer causes around the world.

Avon's new 'Be a Breast Friend' Campaign encourages friends tohave open conversations about breast health and raisesawareness about the importance of being "breast aware" -knowing how your breasts normally look and feel, so you cannotice any unusual changes.

To learn more about 'Be a Breast Friend', visitbeautyforapurpose.ca

#BeABreastFriend

Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support was founded in 1994 as a national not-for-profit organization. Willow provides free-of-cost support, insight and information to anyone, includingthose at high risk, affected by breast and hereditary cancer. Learn More

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