June 2007
The Young Ones
June 2007 Newsletter
In this month’s The Young Ones newsletter . . .
You’ll read about 5 wonderful initiatives for women affected by breast cancer: YABC’s Up Close and Personal 2 Conference; Western Health’s Young Women’s Support Group; an on-line Aussie Forum with many young women members; the fantastic upcoming Amazon Heart Adventures; and What’s On at BreaCan.
This month’s Young Ones meeting was an informal get together of some of our members. The discussion centred around our interests, general chit chat and with the occasional sharing of breast cancer stories. If you are looking for something to do on the last Thursday of the month come along for a meal, drink or cuppa and meet some new friends.
Before I sign off as acting Coordinator, I would like to say thank you to Rita for the opportunity to host the last two meetings. I met some wonderful and inspirational women and my thoughts go out to all young women who are currently receiving treatment…
Mary Macheras-Magias, Acting Young Ones Coordinator
Up Close and Personal 2, 1st National Young Women’s Conference in Melbourne this October
Much has happened since last month’s announcement that Young Action on Breast Cancer (YABC) was organising Australia’s first Conference for young women personally affected by breast cancer. The interest has been phenomenal suggesting that this is a much needed initiative. A big, big thank you goes out to all the Young Ones’ members who have come forward to assist YABC with preparations, making it truly a conference organised by young women for young women.
Many of the speakers have been confirmed and the program almost finalised. It will appear on-line next week, and we are now only weeks away from opening the Registration line. For more information and to go onto YABC’s Conference Distribution List please visit: www.yabc2007conference.org
Western Health launches a Young Women’s Support Group
The Breast Care Nurses at Western Health have commenced a young women’s support group for women 45 years and under who have experienced breast cancer. The group is to meet on the last Tuesday morning of the month at the Boathouse Café on the Maribyrnong River in Moonee Ponds. All young women living in the West are welcome to attend and no RSVP is required.
It is hoped that the support group will provide an opportunity for young women to share their stories and discuss relevant issues in a relaxed and informal setting.
The group’s first meeting was held on the 26th June and was attended by six women, with a few apologies from others unable to make it but keen to attend next month. It was terrific to have the input of Marie, who saw our flyer advertised in the local paper and came along to share her experience of survivorship two years after breast cancer diagnosis. How fantastic for those still in the throes of treatment to see someone so vibrant and settled in life after breast cancer.
We all enjoyed the hospitality of the Boathouse Café who serve a great coffee and hot chocolate. The serenity of the river outlook was also very nice. Hopefully as the weather warms up we can move to sit in the outside area.
The Breast Care Nurses from Western Health look forward to the group growing in size and hope that it can fill a void for women living in the West. In the future we may look at an evening meeting for those whose work commitments prevent them attending.
Thanks to the support of Young One’s, with whom we hope to foster great relations, as our fledging group takes off.
Any inquiries, please contact the Breast Care Nurses at Western Health.
Danielle Spence, BCN
AUSSIE BREAST CANCER FORUM – Online Forum
Have you just been diagnosed with breast cancer or found out that your breast cancer has re occurred?
Are you feeling vulnerable, maybe looking for answers or just someone to talk to who has travelled down the same road?
Do you find that the overseas Forums don’t give you the local information that you require?
We now have an Australian Forum. The forum is operated by volunteers, women who have had or still have breast cancer. The people are friendly and supportive and it is a great place to share or gain information.
There are sections devoted to General Discussions, Breast Cancer for ladies just diagnosed, Advanced Breast Cancer where you can freely discuss topics specific to secondary breast cancer, breast cancer news feeds for the latest news, a handy review of Australian resource links and a gallery for sharing your images and other files.
At the present moment we are having discussions with Groups in other states with a view to linking sites. This will give the consumer a wider scope for gaining information and more exposure to what is happening around our great country.
So come pay us a visit, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed and am positive that you will get a lot of benefit from talking to ladies on our forum.
Make yourself a cuppa and join us at www.bcaus.org.au
Amazon Hearts – Calendar of adventures for 2007
Amazon Heart Thunder US Applications Still Open! September 12 – 22, 2007
Australia: Melbourne to Adelaide October 16 - 27, 2007
Amazon Heart’s amazing one week Thunder rides in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia are some of our most popular adventures! We still have vacancies for riders and support van drivers for our United States ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco, September 12 – 22! Visit www.amazonheartthunder.org to read more about this incredible journey and to register!
Amazon Heart Odyssey India December 1 – 8, 2007
Last December a group of intrepid breast cancer survivors travelled to India to spend one week building an orphanage for orphaned and abandoned babies. This year we already have 9 women signed up to take part! Positions on this adventure are still available – our last adventure for 2007! Visit www.amazonheartodyssey.org to read more about this adventure and to register!
What’s Happening Next Month? (See The Young One website for updates)
BreaCan is free, confidential information, support and referral service for people with breast cancer, their families and friends. Open 10am-2pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
BreaCan Resource Centre
Ground Floor
Queen Victoria Women’s Centre
210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
POSTAL PO Box 1066, Melbourne Vic 3001
PHONE 1300 781 500 (cost of a local call for country callers)
FAX (03) 9921 0840
breacan@breacan.org.au
www.breacan.org.au
Wednesday 4th July 12.00pm-1.30pm - Lymphoedema: What It Is, Treatment & What’s Available (Gynaecological Cancer Session) Judy Purbrick, Senior Physiotherapist at Mercy Hospital Lymphoedema Clinic, will be talking about lymphoedema and its association with gynaecological cancers. Women who believe they may be at risk of developing lymphoedema after gynaecological cancer surgery, or would just like to know more, are encouraged to come along with all their questions.
Thursday 12th July 12.00pm-1.30pm – Tai Chi: Talk, Demonstration & Participation Event (All Welcome) Konrad Dorn, Chief Instructor of The Art Of Harmony Tai Chi and Qigong Centre. Konrad will provide an opportunity to learn more about and experience the many health benefits of Tai Chi.
Wednesday 25th July 12.00pm-1.30pm – All About Osteoporosis (All Welcome) Libby Oldfield, Director of Fitwise Physiotherapy, will help us understand osteoporosis and it’s implications on bone density and strength. As we age, minimizing the impact of osteoporosis is vital in maintaining good posture, strong bones and preventing fractures. Libby will discuss how osteoporosis develops, symptoms, risk factors and the things we can incorporate in to our every day lives to help prevent it.
Newsletter Contributions
We welcome all contributions to and feedback on, the newsletter. If you’ve recently read a book, seen a website, lecture or production that you think other young women who have experienced breast cancer would be interested in, or would like to share your story, we’d love to hear from you. Send all your stories, reviews contributions and feedback to ritamarigliani@netspace.net.au
Our next meeting
Our next meeting will be on Thursday 26th July at 7pm Cafe Coco, 129 Smith St Collingwood.
Contact details Rita Marigliani
The Young Ones Coordinator:
041 123 5964
Email: ritamarigliani@netspace.net.au
Website: www.theyoungones.asn.au
