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History

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) was formed following the First National Breast Cancer Conference for Women in Canberra in October 1998. Following a public meeting in every state and territory, over 300 women from all corners of Australia came together to discuss issues for people personally affected by breast cancer. They also identified ways of addressing these issues and compiled an action plan which included actions required at national, state and local levels. The recommendations and strategies recognised by women were compiled into the Making a Difference Report.  The official launch of BCNA followed the Conference at the Inaugural Field of Women. The Field of Women is a graphic display of breast cancer statistics and consists of silhouettes of women planted to show both the number of women diagnosed every year, and the number of women who lose their battles with breast cancer. Raelene Boyle, Olympian and breast cancer survivor, officially launched BCNA amid the 12,500 silhouettes of women in the lawns in front of Parliament House in Canberra. Since its formation, BCNA has been able to work in partnership with many key breast cancer organisations and governments to address the issues identified by women in the Making a Difference Report. Our journey so far 1998 First Beacon published. Australia’s First National Breast Cancer Conference for Women held in Canberra. First Field of Women – 10,000 pink silhouettes and2,500 white silhouettes planted in the grounds of Parliament House, Canberra – after a Silent Walk honouring women affected by breast cancer. Launch of Breast Cancer Network Australia at the Field in Canberra. Small office space supplied by BreastScreen Victoria.   1999 Field of Women, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and then Treasury Gardens, Melbourne First BCNA Advocacy and Science Training course conducted. Seat at the Table program developed.   2000 Field of Women, The Esplanade, Perth. 13 Mini-Fields of Women around the country. BCNA website launched. Lyn Swinburne invited to France to be one of three Australians to sign the Charter of Paris Against Cancer. Moved into current office space provided pro bono by Bakers Delight. 5,100 members.   2001 Fields of Women, Victoria Square, Adelaide; and Suncorp Metway Park, Brisbane. 50 Mini-Fields of Women held around the country. Successfully lobbied for the drug Herceptin to be available without cost to women with advanced breast cancer. Established our freecall 1800 telephone service. 92 women appointed as Consumer Representatives. Raelene Boyle’s 50th birthday party raised $350,000 for BCNA.   2002 Field of Women, The Domain, Sydney. 41 Mini-Fields of Women held around the country. BCNA National Summit held in Melbourne. Working Parties and Member Group Liaisons established. Community Grants program initiated.   2003 Medical and Scientific Reference Group established. Field of Women, The Cenotaph, Hobart. 53 Mini-Fields of Women held around the country. Two new brochures, Helping a Friend or Colleague with Breast Cancer and Reducing Your Risk of Lymphoedema, developed and distributed.   2004 55 Mini-Fields of Women held around the country. My Journey Kit launched. Australia's Second National Breast Cancer Conference for Women held in Melbourne.        2005 Field of Women – LIVE in 2005, 11,500 women and men in pink, 100 men in blue stood on the MCG, 6 May. Commenced operation of the My Care Kit program. Bakers Delight May 2005 promotion raised over $265,000, taking their total support for BCNA to over $1million. 81 Mini-Fields held around the country. First regional Field of Women – held in Port Lincoln, SA. BCNA nominated as the charity for the 2006 Formula One Grand Prix. More than 17,000 members, over 150 Member Groups.       2006               142 Mini Fields of Women are hosted around the country The Beacon reaches a circulation of 25,000 The Bakers Delight Pink Bun promotion raises $400,000 The Field of Women is hosted in Wollongong BCNA reaches over 20,000 individual members and 170 Member Groups BCNA conducts its first Member Survey which reveals that 90% of it's members have had a breast cancer diagnosis Visits to the website increased to 293,061 Established a partnership with Sussan Hosts Breast Cancer Forums in Townsville and ACT 140 breast cancer survivors attend BCNA's National Summit BCNA leads the successful Herceptin campaign - resulting in the expensive drug being added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 7,063 My Journey Kits and 7,565 My Care Kits were distributed   2007          Field of Women LIVE is hosted at Telstra Stadium, Sydney - 13,100 men and women stand on the Field to represent the current Australian breast cancer statistics Launch of Hope & Hurdles - a resource for women living with secondary breast cancer Hosts Breast Cancer Forums in, Perth, Albury/Wodonga and Queensland Hosts Forums on secondary breast cancer in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane Bakers Delight's Pink Bun campaign raises $350,000 - bringing Bakers Delight's fundraising to $1.5 million More than 23,000 individual members and 183 Member Groups Reaching the milestone of over 23,000 My Journey Kits to date have been distributed and 17,000 My Care Kit's distributed