Personal stories can be a great source of hope and inspiration as they reflect, through the words of the writer, the impact of breast cancer and the issues it raises for the woman diagnosed and the people around her.
Many personal stories can be found in the online network section of the website. Others are featured under particular topic areas throughout the site, such as those listed in the sidebar on the right.
Where to find personal stories
- Visit our online network. Most of our members have a story to tell about their experience with breast cancer. You don't need to be a member to browse the online member listing, but we would welcome you joining up and adding your story. You can search for members by keyword, breast cancer experience, location, etc.
- Digital storytelling project. This is a video gallery of stories that represent a wide range of different experiences and demonstrate the enormous and diverse impact of breast cancer in the community. Each story is accompanied by a short introduction so you can choose which stories you want to watch.
- Personal stories by category. Many personal stories are also included in the different sections of the website, because they can be a great source of information and inspiration. The sidebar on this page (right) provides links to the main categories, but you will also see 'personal stories' listed as a menu item in many different sections of the site.
- The Beacon and The Inside Story magazines. Subscribe to The Beacon or The Inside Story and the magazine will be delivered to your home. Stories in both magazines are written by women who have experienced breast cancer.
Ways you can tell your story
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Post your story in the online network: When you setup your profile in our online network, you will have an opportunity to add your personal story as part of your profile. You can also read the stories of others and join an online interest group.
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Feature stories in The Beacon or The Inside Story magazine: We are currently seeking articles and ideas of 200 - 300 words (about half a page) on ‘unsung heroes’ for the Spring 2012 edition of The Beacon.
Who helped you along the way? Who made a difference to your experience, and how? Was it someone unexpected? A stranger perhaps, or maybe it was your breast care nurse, neighbour, colleague, local hospital staff, or a sales assistant in a wig library or lingerie shop.
To submit a story for consideration, email beacon@bcna.org.au by the end of June 2012. Please also include a high-resolution digital photo (see guidelines below), or post your photo to us and we will return it to you.
- Sending photographs: In all the material BCNA produces, we try our best to use images of people who have been affected by breast cancer – they may have been diagnosed themselves or had a family member or friend diagnosed. To keep our publications fresh and up to date, we are asking for your help.
Please send us any photos that you would be happy for us to use in print or online. This includes on our website and in presentations, publications and general promotional material. The photo submission guidelines below provide information on the type of photos we can use, what quality we need, and where to send them.
Feature stories published on the website are selected from the stories submitted to The Beacon or The Inside Story magazines.
Downloads
- Tips for writing your story.pdf (PDF, 62.99 KB)
- Photo submission guidelines.pdf (PDF, 54.76 KB)
