What We Do
Funds raised through BreastWest are directed to one of three streams – Equipment, Special Purpose and Personal Care. Careful oversight is provided by the BreastWest Committee in collaboration with the Western Health Foundation (which auspices BreastWest) and the Executive of Western Health.
BreastWest provides a valuable resource to provide practical care for women with cancer who face financial difficulties as a direct result of treatment. It works in positives way to reduce suffering of women and their families coping with the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Multicultural aspects of care are also a primary focus of BreastWest. Statistics show that over 55% of women treated for breast cancer at Western Health are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Current literature has been lacking for these women. Money from BreastWest has been used to translate key information brochures into a wide range of languages, including Turkish, Vietnamese, Croatian, Arabic, Italian, Greek and Cantonese.
Patient information forums, supportive care workshops and cancer education forums have also been held both in English and other core language groups as a direct result of funds raised through Breastwest. Such forums help reduce the sense of isolation felt at diagnosis and increase understanding of treatment options and the supports that are available both within the hospital and community.
BreastWest Care Pack Program
Care Packs are there to cater for the many personal and immediate needs of women who have just been diagnosed with breast cancer.
A Breast West Care Pack is one small way in which we can help all women at this time. It provides the many personal care items to help her on the journey.
Each Pack provides for particular needs of women at different stages in their care - to support them at diagnosis, during chemotherapy and when facing surgery. We provide a mix of care items, recommended purchases and the vouchers to cover what is required.
Each Pack will be different, as each woman will have different needs.
“A Cancer diagnosis changes your world. Time stands still, yet the questions swirl around you. How will I cope? How will I care for my family?
What about my work? . . . our security? . . . our mortgage? . . . our rent?
For so many women, every single dollar counts. Their needs always come second.
It is a time when the “care giver” most needs care, when the one who sacrifices her needs for the family . . . . she needs the help of everyone around her.
It is a time when her needs have to come first.
BreastWest care packs bring everything together in one convenient bag . . . the essential items they need. A care pack can include:
• A support pillow
• A sheepskin safety belt cover
• Chemist vouchers
• Hydrating and nourishing lotions
• Self-Care Products
Our lightweight carry bag will double as a shopping tote, or a gym bag as life moves back into a normal rhythm.
Each bag is a personal gift from a BreastWest friend to a patient . . . prepared with care, with a personal card from our breast cancer nurses.
Care Packs are there to assist in the comfort and well being of our patients.
We want to give every patient visiting our Breast Cancer Clinic a Care Pack. We need your help to provide 300 packs this year. One for each of the 300 women we will diagnose with breast cancer.
Please support our patients and buy a Care Pack to help them on their road to recovery.
Each Pack is valued a $100 and there is no limit to the number of packs that you can purchase.
Please contact the Western Health Foundation to order your Care Packs and support our Breast cancer patients on 1300 079 599.