The Auckland Central Breast Friends meet on the 2nd Monday of the month at 1.00pm at Domain Lodge (Auckland Cancer Society building, Boyle Cres, Grafton). Please contact either Christine ((09) 416 7114) or Irene ((09) 528 3084) for details - or call us on 0800BreaCanSupport (0800 273 222). New members are always welcome.

Latest news: Christmas lunch with some Spanish flair!

"Going, going gone!"raises $368.40 for BCS!

Taking time to rest and relax ...

Scrapbooks ... and books!

Central Group packs 9,000 daffodils!

Books, babies and birthdays - Central in July

It's Mid Winter Christmas lunch time!
 

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Christmas lunch with some Spanish flair!

(From Group Coordinator Christine Rule)
Our December meeting with 18 attending was held in the hall at Domain Lodge and was a great success.  The ladies brought along an amazing array of delectable food, which  of course, all had to be sampled.
 
This was followed by a Spanish dance demonstration by Ana Maria de Vos (pictured at right) who displayed her talents with castanets, fans and hat. Ana Maria  is from Chile, and very kindly came at short notice when another entertainer was unable to attend because of ill health.  Afterwards, it was audience participation in a simple dance(pictured above left), ideal after our delicious luncheon.
 
All the members had bought a gift to the maximum value of $5.00. Irene had written a short story about Mr and Mrs Right, which proved to be quite hilarious. The members sat in a circle holding a gift as Irene (pictured at left) read the story. When the word ‘right’ was used everyone passed the gift they were holding to the person on the right and if the word ‘left’ was used, it was passed to the person on the left. The game caused a great deal of confusion and laughter and was far more entertaining than all taking a gift from the basket.
 
Finally everyone was given a quiz of 20 questions. The answers to the clues were parts of the human body and proved to be a little tricky but every one received a chocolate for effort and Rose got two for winning.
 
NB. The Auckland group will meet at 1.00pm on the second Monday in January at Domain Lodge.  Members from other groups are welcome to attend if your own group is not meeting until February and if you know of anyone who has had a breast cancer diagnosis please feel free to invite them.
 
Sincere best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year from all the ladies at Auckland Central Breast Friends.
 

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"Going, going gone!" raises $368.40 for BCS!

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule

“Going, going, gone! First time, second time, third and final time!”

Cindy (pictured at left with some of the auction items) auctioned her way, with dignity, aplomb and wit, through a huge pile of donations of goodies brought by the Auckland Central Breast Friends members for the auction, held at the November meeting at Domain Lodge. She was ably assisted by Irene and Lynne who bagged the goods and kept a tally of the purchases for everyone.  We are proud to announce that the total raised for Breast Cancer Support was $368.40. This could possibly be an annual event.
 
Many of the items were new, making ideal cheap Christmas presents and some of the not so new, were bargains such as $6.00 for a vacuum cleaner which still worked very well and about the same for a foot spa bath.  As well as the bargains, there was good-humoured banter and laughter among the bidders.
 
It was necessary to stop for afternoon tea midway through, to gain extra energy for another round of auctioning and bidding. Chocolate cake was brought by Helen, grapes and date treats by Irene and Christine, some apricot balls, crackers, cheese and babaganoush.
 
The small amount not sold at auction went to Hospice.
 

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Taking time to rest and relax ...

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule

Sixteen ladies attended our October meeting, and we were pleased to welcome two for the first time. We had our usual sharing time and afternoon tea at the conclusion of the meeting, which is always a great time to catch up with friends for a chat and a laugh.

Our guest speaker was Sarita Mitchell who kindly took us through good breathing techniques and some gentle yoga exercises, while sitting and standing.  These were particularly helpful for the joints and improving blood circulation and balance. We finished with lights turned off and relaxation techniques, which were wonderful. These should help us cope with stress and worry and be helpful for those with problems regarding sleep or lack of it.

We had a silent room while concentrating on what Sarita was quietly directing us to do and we found the afternoon very beneficial.

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Scrapbooks ... and books! 

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule 

In spite of rough weather we welcomed seventeen women to our September meeting. 

Our guest speaker Kaye Hatton (pictured with Christine Rule, Kaye on left) used to attend our meetings before work and other commitments intervened, so we were delighted to meet up with her again.

Kaye explained the basics and finer points of scrap-booking and had prepared some very useful hand-outs for us. She recommended six necessary items to purchase when beginning, although there are many other things available for the enthusiast and she discussed the merits of different types of paper with different photographs and adhesives.
 
Scrap-booking can be very therapeutic after an illness or operation as well as being a wonderful way to capture the lives of children and family, old and young. Kaye brought 'how to' magazines, and several books that she has completed, including a Heritage book showing how to combine genealogy and photographs.
 
Iona MacDonald (pictured at left) gave us a brief description of the book Depression Natural Remedies that really work' which she co-wrote with Professor Shaun Holt.
 
Christine Rule (pictured at right) also presented her new book of thirty-four short stories, Lost and Found.
 
A delightful way to spend time together on a wild and wintry afternoon!
 

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Central Group packs 9,000 daffodils!

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule 

At the Breast Friends meeting in August we welcomed three new ladies to the group.

The Auckland Central group is most grateful for the use of rooms at Domain Lodge for our meetings and this month we offered to pack miniature, imitation daffodils for the Cancer Society in preparation for Daffodil Day. It took one person working full-time to replenish the stocks to be bagged.

As soon as the ladies arrived they got down to work and by the end of the session, we'd packed 9000 daffodils into plastic bags containing 50 daffodils in each. Although women can multi-task it is not easy to  speak and count ... but laughter and counting is possible!

Every now and again we'd stop for a chatter and to stretch our limbs. We stopped half-way though for some refreshments and a sharing time before resuming packing.

We plan to do this each year to help the Cancer Society, who allow us to use their facilities and who have helped so many of our members.
 

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Books, babies and birthdays - Central in July

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule 

Auckland Central Breast Friends had a great meeting in July.  We were pleased to welcome a new lady from Iran. Two daughters accompanied her, one who'd just flown over from Australia. Oh that we could speak others' languages as well as they speak ours!

One of our new members gave birth to a baby girl on June 29th and we are thrilled to announce that mother and baby are doing well.  Rose knitted three beautiful pairs of booties for the new arrival and a card was sent from the group. Three other members also celebrated their birthdays on June 29th, which seems to be something of a record.

Our guest speaker was Lynne Melton (pictured above), one of our members, who showed and shared the information about her hobby of making books and small boxes.  These make ideal  and attractive gifts, meaning so much more to the receiver as they are individually hand-made. She also restores damaged books, which is a wonderful talent if you have special books that require attention. If you need Lynne's skill for a favourite book requiring some restoration, you can contact her through the Auckland Central group.  

Lynne showed us a copy of an A.A.Milne children's book which she had restored and samples of marbling that she had done, both with water and oil based paints to be used in her books. She also explained the purpose of the individual tools which she uses for her work.  Some of the covers are made of beautiful soft leather.

The afternoon concluded with afternoon tea, much laughter and talk.

Next month's meeting is completely different.  We have offered our services to the Cancer Society to help with the imitation daffodils for Daffodil Day and we are calling it a 'chit chat' day because ladies can multi task - work and talk! -  so we are hoping to have a good number along for the afternoon. 
 

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It's 'Mid-Winter Christmas lunch' time!

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule 

Auckland Central Breast Friends celebrated in the hall at Domain Lodge for their June meeting.  Not only was this our mid-winter Christmas meeting but we were pleased to welcome six new ladies to our group (the new Members are pictured at left).

Everyone brought along sumptuous food to share for lunch instead of our usual afternoon tea and during this time there was much chat and laughter.

Afterwards we had a time of sharing.  One of our new members who recently moved up from Christchurch, told us of the horror and terror of the quake and aftershocks.  We were unaware that during our meeting people in Christchurch were going through further disasters and I know our hearts go out to them all.

Later we were able to spend a short time on Table Topics, a gift to the group from one of our members.  This can be quite hilarious or thought provoking depending on the cards.

Some of the remaining lunch was sent upstairs for the patients staying at Domain Lodge for treatment.
 

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'Deirdre Live' in May

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule

Deirdre Parr, Chairperson of Breast Cancer Support (pictured) was our guest speaker at the May meeting.

Deidre not only explained the aims and objectives of the group but also  the differences and similarities between the various  breast cancer groups such as Breast Cancer Network, the Breast Cancer Foundation, BCAC and others who are all working for the benefit of  women with a breast cancer diagnosis. She also explained the relationship with the Cancer Society who help all people diagnosed with different types of cancer.

We also learned of the future plans of BCS such as setting up an online forum in conjunction with an Australian group, of plans to establish another group further north and of the need to have a group for younger women whose needs are often quite different to those who are older when they are diagnosed.

Following this there was discussion about Tamoxifen and Arimidex and some of the side effects experienced by some while others had no side effects whatsoever, reminding us all how different we are and how treatments are tailored to suit the individual.

We were reminded of the AGM and Deirdre  also said that they were looking for more women for the committee.
 

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Naturalwear visits Central in April 

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule

Roz Burkitt from Naturalwear Royal Oak (pictured) brought along not only bras, prostheses and bathing suits but also nipples, which few of us had seen before.

These can easily be placed over the prosthesis and are available as part of the subsidised scheme. We were intrigued to hear that the makers of some of the prostheses have used NASA scientific techniques, whereby if the woman is too hot, it will cool down and even smarter is the heat replacement! It will cool if the woman is too hot or warm up if she cools down.

We were also shown a compression sleeve which should be used during flying (to prevent or alleviate symptoms of lymphoedema). A glue can be used (and easily removed)to hold the sleeve up or another option to secure the sleeve is a small harness going over the shoulder.

Our Chairperson Deirdre Parr attended the meeting and spoke for a short while. Deirdre encouraged Members to stand for the BCS Committee at the AGM. I endorse that, 'many hands make light work etc' and it is very rewarding to know that you are helping to make a difference to women who have had breast cancer.

A delicious afternoon tea of hot baked scones and other goodies, including grapes and Easter eggs was enjoyed by the members amid chat and laughter. 

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Central Members share travel tales
 

This report from Group Coordinator Irene Muller

At our March meeting, we enjoyed hearing from Cindy who had recently spent three months travelling in Europe, mainly in Italy. Cindy and her husband had been to many delightful little villages as well as the not-to-be-missed big cities. Their photography skills had us all enraptured and dreaming of making a similar journey as soon as possible!

So many beautiful old buildings and amazing architecture. Let us hope there is never an earthquake in Italy!

Cindy told lovely stories of the people they had met, the food they had enjoyed, and all the colourful fascinating snippets of life in a far off land. Over a cuppa, one could feel the buzz of excitement as friends remembered favourite places they had visited and discussed the fun of travelling. 
 

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Getting into origami!

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule

 We had 18 women attending our February meeting and welcomed three new ladies who had recently been diagnosed.

The format today was somewhat different to usual. 

Irene and Lynne demonstrated the art of making Origami boxes and helped those who wanted to try it themselves.  What skill, what concentration and a busy hum as they worked steadily on their creations, while others chose to observe!

In another area of the room a small group chatted with the newcomers and amongst themselves. 

Irene made heart-shaped shortbread biscuits for Valentine's Day, Helen made a chocolate cake, all delicious and there were asparagus rolls and blueberries to add to the feast.

A friend of one of the members had had a reconstruction and gone to Australia so donated prostheses, bras, hats and berets as well as a hairpiece which looked stunning on one of our ladies.  What was not taken will be delivered to Naturalwear, and the headwear to a Hospice or Salvation Army shop.  

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Central women enjoy good catch up in January

This report from Group Coordinator Christine Rule

Auckland Central ladies met in January and were pleased to welcome a new lady to our group and although smaller in numbers during this holiday season we had a great meeting.  

We shared stories from the festive season and then played a game given to us by one of our members called Table Topics.  In the words of one of the ladies   'We learned more about each other, drew closer together, as well as having some good laughs.'   The time disappeared very quickly and we were loath to stop for afternoon tea.  Those present requested  that we play it again in the not too distant future. 

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