“It meant so much to have my family with me to share this beautiful experience,” says Sandy from Christchurch, who recently had a special family day out thanks to supporters like you. Sandy has three children and three grandchildren. Her son lives with her, and her granddaughter lives with them part of the time. “When I was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer – it was a really hard time. I … Read More
Sweet Louise Member Claire McLintock has produced a limited-edition range of t-shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness Month featuring the slogans ‘F*** Cancer’ and ‘Don’t Delay Fun’. All proceeds go directly to support Sweet Louise! Claire says: “My name is Claire and I am one of the 350 New Zealanders each year who has been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. “Living with a diagnosis of incurable cancer is hard. At times … Read More
Barbara McNaught from Auckland shares her story of hope – having been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer 20 years ago. “I’m in a good place now but I never take anything for granted. Having Sweet Louise in the background has been my ‘backbone’,” says Barbara. “I was the 6th in my family to get breast cancer (there has since been a 7th) so I had been vigilant and caught it … Read More
“Being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer has made me start living my best life. I can’t control the cancer, but I can control how I respond,” says Karen Barnett from Auckland, who was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in early 2021. “2021 was the start of a journey I was NOT expecting in life…especially not at the age of 38. I have breast cancer with secondary breast cancer in the … Read More
“This disease has shown me that things can change so quickly. Whilst I’m well and stable, I want to make the most of every day. I now appreciate the little things in life and I am so grateful for time I spend with loved ones, with my family,” says member, Brenda Suttill. Brenda lives in Christchurch with her daughter, Avalon, 13, husband Mike, and her guardian angel – Gizmo the … Read More
“Sweet Louise has inspired me not to allow the cancer to control my life. I want to live life to the full,” says Metua Ngamata-Rorani, a mum and grandma from Auckland. Through her job as a social worker, Metua was used to advocating for others, but not for herself. Her manager at work convinced Metua to get a mammogram. “I was asked to make a follow up appointment. I knew … Read More
“Happiness is a choice,” says Bridget Tyson, age 33 and mum to nine-month-old Mohi. “There is a time and a place for sadness, but I want to live, feel joy and have a happy life with my family.” Bridget was six months pregnant when she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She had been living in Tokyo with her partner. Brandon. In February 2020, when they found out they were … Read More
“I am part Cook Islander and a NZ-born Kiwi,” says Sweet Louise member Mareta Marsters-Grubner. “I grew up in west Auckland. I have three adult sons – two living in Perth and one in Taranaki. “I had early breast cancer in 2006. Then following a double mastectomy in 2007 – all was hunky dory for the next 11 years. “The day before Mother’s Day 2018, I was home alone dog-sitting … Read More
Never gonna keep me down! Tania Honey is a part-time primary school teacher. She lives in Auckland with her three teenage boys – age 13, 15 and 16 – her husband and cat. “I had my original diagnosis in 2011 and at the time I had a mastectomy, chemo and radiation,” says Tania. “After being in remission for eight years, I started experiencing pain in my ribs. Eventually, an x-ray … Read More
