Every day 55 Australians will be told they have breast cancer.
That is why Konica Minolta supported our charity partner Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) to match donations and help raise $55k, during their 55 Hours of Giving campaign.
“Most people have been affected by breast cancer in one way or another, as a survivor, friend or family member and we’re incredibly proud to help BCNA provide the information, care and support when it’s most needed,” Shane Blandford, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer.
In 2020, BCNA is relying more than ever on the generosity of partners and the community to provide additional support and resources for Australians living with breast cancer, their families and friends.
These additional resources have so far included:
- extending BCNA’s helpline hours to seven days a week, as required
- ensuring up to date, accurate information is available on the My Journey online tool
- producing a special “COVID-19" podcast series.
While COVID-19 has increased the need for BCNA’s services and support, many of BCNA’s fundraising events and activities have had to be cancelled or postponed.
This year Konica Minolta therefore decided to support BCNA’s 55 Hours of Giving campaign to help double the impact of public donations over a 55-hour period from AET 8am 24th June to AET 3pm on Friday 26 June.
The campaign is now over but to donate to BCNA before the end of the 2020 financial year, just click here.
BCNA was founded by Lyn Swinburne whose vision was that no one should feel alone through their experience of breast cancer. In 2020 that vision continues to define the work of BCNA and the communities they support. Some of the services the organisation provides includes a Helpline from Monday to Friday which is resourced by their team of experienced cancer nurses and trained staff; the My Journey Online Tool, which provides tailored, accurate and up-to-date information to all those diagnosed with breast cancer, and of course the Berlei My Care Kit which is delivered to thousands of women undergoing surgery and radiotherapy. BCNA also publishes information about breast cancer in languages other than English and provides information specifically for men diagnosed with breast cancer.
One of BCNA’s main priorities is to work with governments and health service providers to ensure that all Australians can get affordable access to the latest breast cancer treatment and care.
In a significant development, BCNA recently welcomed the opening of an access program for the CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase) inhibitor drug Kisqali (ribociclib) for second line treatment of people with hormone receptor positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti said, after many years of hard work and pressure applied to pharmaceutical companies to open up access to CDK inhibitors, BCNA is pleased Novartis has responded to the call.
“This will mean so much to women and men who are currently living with metastatic breast cancer, and those who may be diagnosed in the future. At a cost of around $5,000 per month, Kisqali is well out of the reach of many Australian families. This program will mean they won’t have to mortgage their house or take out a loan during what is already a difficult and stressful time for them.”
So please, click here to make a donation before the end of the 2020 financial year.
Konica Minolta have been proud supporters of BCNA since 2013 and support their annual fund-raising campaign, as well as employee matched giving, fundraising, volunteering and in-kind support.
More information about BCNA’s work can be found at www.bcna.org.
If you, or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you can access the My Journey online tool at myjourney.org.au or contact the Helpline on 1800 500 258.
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