The Sunshine Coast Breast Cancer Friendship Circle, a social support group for locals with lived experience of breast cancer, recently celebrated five years of connecting people for friendship, support and understanding.
The support group was instigated in 2019 by Breast Cancer Physiotherapist Jen McKenzie who brought together a trio of breast cancer survivors to administer the group, ensuring the group’s authenticity to be managed by people who truly understood the challenges of breast cancer.
Co-Administrator of the Sunshine Coast Breast Cancer Friendship Circle, Joanna Atzori, said the fifth anniversary celebration was an impressive milestone and provided an opportunity to reflect on the group’s social contributions among the local breast cancer community.
“Anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis will tell you there’s no better way to feel heard, understood and supported than by connecting with someone else who personally understands and recognises the challenges and rollercoaster of emotions that accompany a cancer diagnosis,” Mrs Atzori said.
“All locals (male or female) who have received a breast cancer diagnosis or treatment, either recently or many years ago, are welcome to get involved in this social support group if they feel that connecting with others would benefit them into their survivorship.”
The group is coordinated by breast cancer survivors and volunteers including Joanna Atzori, Pauline Hermann and Wendy Keats, with past administrators Anna Marcucci and Carmel Ryan part of the original coordinating team when the group was formed in 2019.
Mrs Atzori said approximately 450 Sunshine Coast women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and it’s heartening to know they have a supportive community where they can connect with others who understand.
“When I was diagnosed in 2019, age 41, what I really wanted – and needed – was to connect in person and talk to other women who had been in my shoes and who truly understood what I was feeling and going through as part of the diagnosis, treatment and into my survivorship,” she said.
“Among the group there are people of all ages ranging from 20s through to our most senior members in their 70s and 80s. Connections are made between people going through different types of cancer treatment and various surgical outcomes, but they’re all facing the same challenges of working out life after cancer diagnosis.
“Some members in the group attend the social events every month, but others may only manage a few times throughout the year due to surgery or treatment, and other life commitments. That’s where the Facebook group can be helpful because if members aren’t able to attend the social gatherings, they can always reach out to others in a private and supportive environment on social media.
“On behalf of my fellow administrators including Pauline Hermann and Wendy Keats, it has been an honour and a privilege for us to coordinate the Sunshine Coast Breast Cancer Friendship Circle for the past five years to provide a safe environment for friendship, support and understanding.”
Group members are given access to the closed (private) Facebook group where they can ask questions, seek feedback or share their breast cancer experience among a community of people who ‘get it’. Details of monthly organised social events are shared in the closed group, or people can request to join the email distribution list via scbcfriendshipcircle@gmail.com.
The Sunshine Coast Breast Cancer Friendship Circle is proudly supported by Tracey G Prosthetics and Lingerie and The Breast Cancer Physio, Jen McKenzie.
