October 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day – a chance to raise awareness of incurable, metastatic breast cancer in New Zealand and highlighting that not all breast cancer can be cured.
Most importantly, it is a day to honour and celebrate the courage of the more than 750 New Zealanders who are currently living with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer.
“Metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage 4 or advanced cancer, means the cancer has spread outside of the breast to other organs such as bones, liver, lung or brain,” says Catrin Devonald, CEO of Sweet Louise.
“The needs of people facing a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer are very different. At this point, the cancer cannot be cured, but often it can be controlled with treatment, sometimes for many years. The impact of ongoing treatment can be enormous, from financial impacts such as having to give up work, to severe fatigue, to the ongoing anxiety of not knowing how long you might have left with your loved ones.
“Being told that your cancer is incurable is devastating. Feelings of fear and shock are compounded by a lack of understanding of their disease. New Zealanders have a good understanding of breast cancer thanks to good information and publicity, but I don’t believe that’s the case for metastatic breast cancer.
“At Sweet Louise, we stand alongside New Zealanders facing incurable breast cancer. We provide practical, emotional and social support to help them live as well as possible for as long as possible.”
Sweet Louise is the only charity in New Zealand dedicated to improving the quality of life for Kiwis living with incurable breast cancer. Women like 33-year-old Nikki Black.
Nikki, a mother of two and primary school teacher, was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2019. By January 2020, she learned the cancer had spread to her bones.
Nikki says: “I went from completely normal to incurable cancer in a couple of months. I have good days and bad days. Some days I think I can’t do this anymore. But each day when I wake up I am thankful and try to stay active. But I never plan far ahead.
“Most people don’t understand what I’m going through, but Sweet Louise do. Having Sweet Louise by my side, having people to talk to who understand what I’m going through – it gives me the energy to keep going; to keep on fighting,” adds Nikki.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sweet Louise is inviting Kiwis to download its e-cookbook from its website. For just $40, they can download ‘The Sweet Louise Cookbook’ which contains 40 recipes from well-known cooks and celebs, including Al Brown, Nadia Lim, Dean Brettschneider, The Topp Twins and more.
Sweet Louise is also inviting people to host a Sweet October tea party during October to raise funds to provide vital care and support for New Zealanders with incurable breast cancer.
All the funds raised through the e-cookbook and Sweet October events will provide urgent emotional and practical support to help New Zealanders with incurable breast cancer to live as well as possible and make the most of the precious time they have left.
here are some of the ways you can get involved!
Join Sweet October
Join us to raise awareness of incurable breast cancer and raise funds for Sweet Louise by holding your very own Sweet October tea party!
Offer your family and friends to have their cake and eat it by creating your own perfect Sweet October tea party. From a luxurious high tea, to a simple morning tea to a mad hatters tea party – you can bake it your own.
You’ll be able to set up your own super easy online fundraising form and have access to fundraising advice and resources.
Join Sweet October!
The Sweet Louise Cookbook
The Sweet Louise Cookbook 2020 edition is here! Nine new recipes including Nadia Lim’s banana and blueberry muffins, The Topp Twin’s gingernut biscuits, all-time Kiwi classic the mince and cheese pie from Dean Brettschneider, and a fitting addition – the Louise slice. There’s something in our downloadable cookbook to suit all tastes and every cooking ability.
The full 2020 edition of The Sweet Louise Cookbook can be downloaded for just $40. All funds raised will bring care and support to Kiwis with incurable breast cancer.
Buy the e-cookbook
Make a donation
Your donation today will help women with incurable breast cancer find their strength to carry on. To feel the connection that each and every one of us needs to live our lives to the fullest.
You can make sure they know they are not alone, in this time of great need. That is a very special gift indeed.
Donate now