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Breast Cancer Support - empowering New Zealand women
emotionally on their journey with breast cancer
The women of BCS offer support & encouragement from a positive personal experience
to others who have had a diagnosis of breast cancer.
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Breast Friends NewsOn this page we feature current news and updates about Breast Cancer Support (BCS) and our Auckland area Breast Friends Groups. BCS organises six of its own support groups within greater Auckland and works with the Franklin Breast Cancer Support Group to assist women living in the Pukekohe/Waiuku areas. To find out more about our groups, meetings times and locations, please visit the listings on our site or please contact us by email or phone. Breast Friends News: BCS Members and Breast Friends delighted in a long table laden with Christmas goodies, enjoyed Jennifer's Famous Punch and had lots of laughter as they gathered to celebrate another year of fellowship.
It was a wonderfully successful evening, much enjoyed by all who attended. On behalf of BCS, Chair Marie Goudge thanked her Coordinators, volunteers and supporters for their work throughout the year and wished all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (Posted 20 December 2009) BCS Photo Shoot with Marie Richards In early October, BCS Coordinators and Breast Friends group members gathered at BCS Chair Marie Goudge's West Auckland home for a special photo shoot. Talk about paparazzi and glamourous girls!  Over 20 women heeded the call for volunteers to come along and be photographed by professional photographer Marie Richards. The images taken on the day will be used in a new brochure, other publicity materials and of course on our website - some of the new photos are already up, including our very lovely one on the Home Page! Early in 2010, BCS will be producing the new brochure for distribution throughout the greater Auckland area (to hospitals, clinics, private medical centres etc). The brochure will outline the services BCS provides and how women can access our support. It was a most successful afternoon! Over cups of tea, coffee and delicious snacks, the shoot became a very social and enjoyable  occasion for all. Women had come from groups throughout the Auckland area so there was an opportunity to get to know each other, make new friends and exchange stories and experiences in between 'photo takes'!
BCS wishes to thank Marie Richards for her excellent work and generous support of our organisation and all of our lovely ladies who took part on the day! BCS Workshop for Coordinators 27 September 2009 The Breast Friends groups are the 'core business' of BCS and the Coordinators of the groups work at the 'front line' of the support system we offer. BCS appreciates and is grateful for  the committment, compassion and dedication shown by our volunteers and as part of our committment to them, we provide encouragement, positive reinforcement and ongoing training to ensure they feel supported and able to lead their groups effectively.
BCS holds training programmes every year, gathering the group Coordinators together for opportunities to exchange information and experiences, learn and practice new skills and to socialise in an informal environment. It is through sharing that we can acquire knowledge and new skills and so offer even better and more targeted support to the women who access our services. A Coordinators' Workshop was held on the 27 September at Domain Lodge (Auckland Cancer Society) where over 20 Coordinators gathered for an afternoon of informal discussion, information and presentations aimed at meeting the new and growing needs of our Breast Friends Groups. Coordinators attended from areas throughout Auckland and participated in group discussions, listened to presentations on the progress of the organisation and plans for the future and received valuable tips for effective group facilitation. It was a most successful afternoon and those attending felt the Workshop worthwhile and beneficial. 'BCS is committed to delivering support that can meet the changing needs within our communities,' said Chair BCS Marie Goudge (pictured), 'and celebrating the special gift that women have of supporting and encouraging each other.'
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The BCS Christmas Social is a most enjoyable and highly anticipated annual event and this December over 60 ladies came along to share a wonderful evening of good cheer and entertainment at Domain Lodge in Auckland. All Breast Friends Groups were well represented, from Hibiscus Coast in the North to Papakura in the South and all points in between.
A friendship forged through an experience with breast cancer is one of understanding and empathy, bearing an unspoken bond that those who have 'been there too' can share with kindness and generosity of spirit. The women attending the Social renewed their connections, made new friends and acknowledged, through their laughter and enjoyment, the important part peer support has played in their lives after a diagnosis of breast cancer. The annual Social is a true celebration of such friendships.
The evening featured a surprise entertainer ... magician Mr. Mystery who was none other than Marie Goudge's very talented husband Stan. The ladies were treated to a clever and very entertaining magic show - with some participation from the floor!
