Women’s club boosts breast cancer care

MEMBERS of volunteer group, Soroptimist International Ballarat have chosen to support those providing care to patients with breast cancer this giving season.

The club donated more than $600 to the McGrath Foundation via local Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre McGrath breast care nurse Joylene Fletcher at their final general meeting for 2023 on Tuesday 5 December.

“Two months ago, a McGrath breast care nurse from the McGrath Foundation was a guest speaker at a Soroptimist International Ballarat meeting,” said Soroptimist International Ballarat president Linda Danvers.

“She spoke of the work the breast care nurses do in supporting women and men with breast cancer to walk the journey to recovery.

“It was decided by the club to hold a fashion parade at Blue Illusion which raised over $600. The funds raised have been donated to the McGrath Foundation.”

Soroptimist International Ballarat is a local service club for women which is part of a global volunteer movement which dates back more than 100 years.

The group has an aim to support women to achieve their best and has been operational in Ballarat for about 45 years.

Soroptimist International members at the top level of the global organisation advise the United Nations on women’s issues.

“It supports women in areas of education, health and wellbeing, advocacy, and promoting environmental issues,” said Soroptimist International Ballarat secretary Fiona Tonkin.

There are about 200 breast care nurses funded by the McGrath Foundation who provide free specialised support to cancer patients and their families across Australia.

The foundation has a goal to fund 250 nurses by 2025.