When Heather Jackson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, she wasn’t surprised. But she was heartbroken.

Her own mother received the diagnosis at age 39, so she knew the emotional and physical effects it had on her. And even though she had annual checkups (which evolved into ultrasounds at age 35 and mammograms at age 40), she always hoped that life-changing phone call would never come.

But she did.

Heather was 52 years old when her primary care physician noticed calcifications in her right breast and sent her for an ultrasound and biopsy. Two days later at 8:30am he called her and told her to come at the appointed time and to bring her husband.

At that moment, Heather realized.

“I had invasive breast cancer, which is a tumor within the breast tissue, and it was stage 2,” she explains.

“I grew up around breast cancer, so I knew right away what I was getting into.”

Heather chose to have a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and had both breasts removed two weeks later.

She calls herself “lucky” because it hasn’t spread to her lymph nodes and didn’t require chemotherapy, and says she was a little more prepared than most. and 1 in 7 people with women 1/612 Men are at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, leaving many shocked and unsure of what to do or who to talk to.

For over 30 years, Friends of the bosom We have supported people like Heather who are experiencing this uncertainty. They provide compassionate care from the moment of diagnosis, during treatment, and after recovery.

When Heather began her cancer journey, she already knew about grassroots philanthropy thanks to her mother’s experience. But she was so overcome with emotion after the surgery that she found herself unable to pick up the phone, so a neighbor contacted Bosom Buddies on her behalf.

“I got in touch with Bosom Buddy over the phone and we decided to have a chat over coffee,” Heather explains.

“It was nice to have a conversation with someone who understood what I was going through.”

Eight years after first joining Bosom Buddies, Heather was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees.

She originally joined the support team and committee to give back the same care she received when she needed it most, and nine years after her diagnosis, she still strongly believes in their work.

“I’m passionate about what Bosom Buddies does and what Bosom Buddies can offer, and I’m passionate about supporting those in our community who need it,” says Heather.

“Sometimes service is tight and you can’t get to where you need it right away, but you can always call Bosom Buddy.”

A volunteer-driven organization made up primarily of individuals who have personally battled breast cancer, Bosom Buddies has always relied on the support of the community.

This year, the charity Hands Across Canberra Appeal.

Held from February to March, it culminates with the Canberra Day Appeal Fun Run on Monday 9 March, with every dollar raised kept in the ACT.

Heather says initiatives like this play an important role in their work.

“We also help people who need lymphedema sleeves, prostheses and bras. We not only talk to people on the phone, we also provide services.”

“We do this because of donations. That’s why it’s so important. Everything we do is raising awareness, because early detection is early intervention and that leads to greater success.”

For Heather, funds donated to Bosom Buddies by the local community, whether directly or through initiatives such as Hands Across Canberra, have helped it rebuild itself when it seemed to be falling apart.

“The Canberra Day Appeal is really great. There are so many charities to donate to, so if you can’t decide, just donate to Hands Across Canberra and the money will be split equally between the other charities,” she says.

“I am sometimes amazed at the generosity of people…doing things and helping people even when they are struggling themselves.”

Learn more about Bosom Buddies here. bosombuddies.org.au. You can donate to the Canberra Day Appeal here.