Breast Cancer Network Australia S

MEDIA RELEASE

Breast Cancer Network Australia’s Mini-Field of Women

Breast Cancer support on display in (insert Suburb)

More than a hundred Pink Lady silhouettes will be on display at (location) on (date) in a meaningful show of support for women and families affected by breast cancer.

Every day 38 Australian women will be told they have breast cancer and seven will lose their lives to the disease. Local organiser (insert name) of (insert organisation if applicable) explains; ‘Each time a woman hears she has breast cancer, those around her in the community are also affected. Support for women and families affected by breast cancer is an important issue in our local community.’

Breast Cancer Network Australia’s (BCNA) Mini-Field of Women events provide an opportunity for the public to pay tribute to all those affected by breast cancer.

Founder and CEO of BCNA, Lyn Swinburne, herself a breast cancer survivor, says the event is a powerful reminder that you are not alone on your breast cancer journey; ‘This October, around 300 Mini-Field of Women events are being held in local communities around Australia. These events are a great way to link those people affected by breast cancer with their local community. We hope people participating will find the event meaningful and enjoy it as a celebration of life.’

Local organiser (insert name) said: ‘Although breast cancer care and knowledge has come a long way in the past, there are still women being diagnosed every single day who need to be provided with our help and support. Breast cancer is an issue close to many women and affects our community.’

The (area) community is invited to participate in this local event and to take the opportunity to leave a personal message of support.

WHO: (Insert Coordinator and organisation staging the Mini-Field of Women)

WHAT: Mini-Field of Women Event Supporting Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA)

WHERE: (Location)

WHEN: (Date & Time)

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: (insert name) Breast Cancer Survivor

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: BCNA Mini-Field of Women (Pink Lady silhouette display & local breast cancer survivors)

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BCNA’s role is to inform, empower, represent and link together Australians affected by breast cancer. Visit us at www.bcna.org.au Background BCNA’s Mini-Field of Women events in local communities follow on from the highly successful Field of Women LIVE events held in 2005 (MCG), 2007 (Telstra Stadium, Sydney), and 2010 (MCG). At the 2010 event, the most recent, 14,0001 people formed the Pink Lady silhouette, bringing the national breast cancer statistics to life in a sparkling display of strength, support and camaraderie. They are also a way to let people know about support resources such as BCNA’s My Journey Kit, a free resource for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

About Breast Cancer Network Australia

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is the national voice of all Australians personally affected by breast cancer, representing more than 300 Member Groups and over 60,000 individuals. We are represented by the Pink Lady silhouette, which reflects our key focus – women diagnosed with breast cancer. BCNA’s mission is to inform, empower, represent and link together Australians affected by breast cancer.

The diagnosed women - who are our members - are the human faces and stories behind breast cancer. BCNA works to ensure that women diagnosed with breast cancer, and their families, receive the very best information, treatment, care and support possible – no matter who they are or where they live.

Support following early breast cancer diagnosis

If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, please call Breast Cancer Network Australia on 1 800 500 258 or visit www.bcna.org.au to obtain a free My Journey Kit.

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Media Contact for this Event: (Name & mobile phone number) ______

For media comment from BCNA please contact:  Julie Reilly - Media Manager – 03 9805 2572 or 0417 545 986 or [email protected]; or  Thea Cargill – Media Officer – 03 9805 2592 or 0429 000 450 or [email protected]

For further information on Breast Cancer Network Australia please visit www.bcna.org.au ______

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BCNA’s role is to inform, empower, represent and link together Australians affected by breast cancer. Visit us at www.bcna.org.au 1 This is projected data based on current trends in breast cancer incidence. Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & National Breast and Ovarian Cancer 2009. Breast cancer in Australia: an overview 2009. Cancer series no. 50. CAN 46. Canberra: AIHW.