One-to-one Support
Breast Friends Support Groups
Why join a Support Group?
Breast Friends Support Group Contact Information

A diagnosis of breast cancer can turn life upside-down. Emotions are in turmoil, like a rollercoaster, up one moment and tumbling down the next. There is fear, uncertainty, a feeling of having little or no control over what is happening.

Being able to speak with someone who has ‘been there too’ can bring comfort, reassurance and friendship at a time when life may feel overwhelming.

Family and friends do their best to offer support but women can still feel alone as they embark on a journey with breast cancer. The feelings of isolation and loneliness can persist for some time after diagnosis and it can be very helpful to talk to someone who understands how it is.

That’s what Breast Cancer Support is all about. The Breast Cancer Support volunteers have experienced breast cancer and can offer practical help, advice and information to women with a present or past diagnosis of breast cancer.

The women of BCS are now living positive, full lives. We want to listen, support and share experiences of the journey with you. We know how it is and we are here for you, whenever you need us, so please let us help. Contact us by email or telephone toll free on 0800BreaCanSupport (0800 273 222). 

Why join a Support Group?
Breast Cancer Support Groups can offer fellowship, sharing, information and advice to women experiencing breast cancer.

Some women prefer a more individual approach, perhaps speaking with another woman over the phone or meeting up for coffee. Many women decide not to access any community support. It's an individual choice: we are all different and our outlooks and experiences will be diverse, our needs will vary.

West Auckland Support Group Member Lynn had this to say about her involvement with the Group:

"I would like to say a few words about the Breast Cancer Support Group in West Auckland.
"Six years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and at the time thought my world had ended. After surgery and radiation my daughter felt that I needed to talk with like minded people and found out about the meetings and arranged for me to attend one night.
"I was welcomed by Christine and Marie and cannot say enough about how inspirational they where. The work the group does to encourage breast cancer survivors is phenomenal and I can honestly say that if I had not had the meetings to go to in those early months I don’t know what I would have done. As a result of going I was introduced to the Pink Dragon’s Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Team and have not looked back. I still get the calls every month to tell me when the support meetings are on, and get
very disappointed when I can’t make them, this is mostly through the summer months as Dragon Boat training takes up the time.
So keep up the great work, all you wonderful people!"

We asked some of our Support Group Members why they chose to join the groups and here's what they had to say:  

"I like to repay the support I was given when going through treatment."
"To learn more about what is available for us, for example the prosthesis subsidy."
"To make friends with other women with breast cancer and share experiences and fellowship."
"To access information about breast cancer and keep up to date with what is happening in the breast cancer area."
"To be around other people who understand the side effects like 'chemo brain'!"
"I don’t have to explain myself."
"Belonging to a group reinforces the knowledge that we don’t have to be isolated – sharing is very beneficial."

If you feel you may need the support of other women but you're not quite sure about taking that first step, give us a call and let's talk about it - phone us toll free on 0800 273 222.

One-to-One Support
Breast Cancer Support offers one-to-one support from a positive personal experience. Trained volunteers who have experienced breast cancer are available to listen and speak to women with a recent or past breast cancer diagnosis. Support may be received via a telephone call or a face to face meeting. Our volunteers are unable to offer medical or treatment advice and we always recommend that women, in the first instance, seek such information from their medical team. Please contact us by email or telephone to access this individual service.

The Breast Friends Support Groups
Our Breast Friends support groups meet monthly within the greater Auckland area and are coordinated by women who have experienced breast cancer. The meetings provide an opportunity for women with a present or past breast cancer diagnosis to meet in an informal environment for mutual support and encouragement.
Over a cup of tea, women exchange stories, information and lots of laughter! Some months groups will feature a guest speaker or other activity.
To join a group or to find out more, please phone the coordinator for your area or email us. Attendance at our groups is free. For meeting time, venue and contact information for our Breast Friends Groups in the Auckland area, please click here.

Purpose
The Breast Friends Support Groups provide an opportunity for women with a past or present breast cancer diagnosis to meet in a social and relaxed setting for mutual support and fellowship. The emphasis is on helping women cope with the present and look positively towards the future. Coordinators can offer information about other health support services and community support groups.

Attendance
Anyone with a past or present diagnosis of breast cancer is welcome to attend. This could include recently diagnosed women as well as those with secondary disease. Attendance at the groups is free.

Facilitation
An annually appointed coordinator facilitates the meetings. Should anyone need professional help with the emotional, psychological or physical impact of their breast cancer, the coordinator can provide her with appropriate information on support services that are freely available or recommend that they contact their professional health provider.

Expectation
All Breast Friends group meetings offer an informal environment for meeting and speaking with other women who have experienced breast cancer. Meetings often include a guest speaker (who may or may
not have breast cancer as a focus ) or the group may choose a more social format (shared hobbies etc).

Rights of Participants
When participating in a Breast Friends Group meeting women will receive:
The right to confidentiality both in and out of the group.
The right to be treated as an individual.
The right to be respected.
The right to be heard.
The right to agree or disagree.

Disclaimer
Breast Cancer Support Incorporated takes no responsibility for any health related information or advice given by guest speakers or group members and recommends that any such information be obtained from your medical team.

Group Meeting Times, Locations and Contact Information

Central Auckland – 2nd Mon. of month at 1:00 pm at Domain Lodge, Grafton
Contact: Christine ph 416 7114 or Irene ph 528 3084

North Shore – 2nd Wednesday of month at 7.00pm, Takapuna
Contact : Geraldine ph 480 9406 or Cathie ph 419 9342

Hibiscus Coast – 3rd Wed. of month at 10.30 am at Red Beach Methodist Church.
Contact : Barbara ph (09) 422 9045

West Auckland – 3rd Tues. of month at 7.00 pm at Plunket Society, 5 Woodford Ave, Henderson
Contact : Marie ph 835 1890 or Maureen ph 827 2636 or Nola ph 834 0208

East Auckland – 3rd Wed. of month at 7.30 pm at Highland Park Community House, Highland Park
Contact : Jennifer ph 274 1192 or Gill ph274 9222.

South Auckland – 2nd Wed. of month at 7.30 pm at 55 Marne Rd, Papakura.
Contact : Annette ph298 8172 or Jill ph268 0414

Franklin Breast Cancer Support Group Inc. Pukekohe/Waiuku - 3rd Thurs. of month at 7.30 pm alternate months at Hospice Rooms, Pukekohe and at Holy Trinity Church, Queen St, Waiuku.
Contact : Shona ph (09) 238 4690 or Jeanette ph (09) 238 6433

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