Breast Cancer Action Kingston An Innovative Advocacy and Support Group Antoinette MacDonald, Elizabe

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Breast Cancer Action Kingston An Innovative
Advocacy and Support GroupAntoinette MacDonald,
Elizabeth Staples, Dianne Johnstonhttp//www.brca
nactionkingston.com
Financial Resources The annual budget for BCAK is
over 100,000. These funds are raised entirely
in the community through an Annual Walk for
Awareness (including head shaving) for pledges,
charity golf tournaments, 3rd party special
events, In Memoriam gifts and donations and
annual memberships of 20 per person. The only
paid staff are the Office and Resource
Coordinator who works part-time and the Certified
Fitness Instructors.
Introduction Breast Cancer Action Kingston (BCAK)
is a survivor-led, independent, incorporated,
non-profit charitable organization. It has a
Board of Directors of twelve, elected by the
general membership. The Board meet monthly to
update on programs, resolve issues, discuss
research proposals and correspondence received,
follow an agenda and keep minutes. BCAK hosts an
educational evening in April and an educational
component to their Annual General Meeting in
October. Guest speakers present timely
information on a variety of breast cancer related
topics. BCAKs major fund raising endeavor is
the Annual Walk For Awareness in May.
Survivor Facilitated Support Group Women at all
stages of breast cancer are welcome from
pre-surgery through treatment to several years
beyond diagnosis. The group is led by two of four
trained facilitators, themselves breast cancer
survivors. Meeting every two weeks in the BCAK
offices, confidentiality is insured as group
members share their experiences and offer caring
to each other.
Most breast cancers are detected by women
themselves and early detection is the key to
successful treatment. The most important part of
breast self-examination is becoming familiar with
the normal findings (the look and feel) of a
womens own breasts. The Hands On project was
developed in 1996 with two main purposes To
create a greater awareness of the need for women
to do breast self-examination (BSE) regularly and
correctly To provide an effective weapon in the
early detection of breast cancer To achieve these
goals physicians, nurse practitioners, health
centres and womens outreach clinics are provided
with a Hands On kit, free of charge. Each kit,
in its own carrying case, contains a breast model
with simulated lumps, 20 descriptive booklets (A
Guide to Breast Health Care) and an instructional
videotape. This teaching material is available n
both English and French. They are then used in
single or group settings to teach the correct
technique to perform BSE. BCAK also offers free
teaching sessions either at the resource centre
or in the community.
One-on-One Support For women who prefer a
one-on-one discussion, it is possible to get
support and understanding through discussion with
a BCAK facilitator either in the confidential
environment of the BCAK offices, in the womans
home or on the phone. Efforts are made to meet
in person.
Walk for Awareness BCAKs major funding
raising event takes place the first Saturday in
May. This event is well supported by the
community with head-shaving, music and clowns

• Objectives
• To promote and provide funds for research into
  the cause, control and cure of
  breast cancer
• To raise awareness of the benefit of early
  detection of breast cancer through breast
  self-examination and screening
• To undertake public education Develop programs
  to educate, counsel and support women living with
  breast cancer, their families and the community
  at large.

Dragon Boat Team
Survivor dragon boating has become an
international movement which champions the
benefits of physical fitness, provides a
floating support group and showcases the cause
of breast cancer awareness at dragon boat
festivals in places as diverse as New Zealand,
South Africa, Rome and Shanghai. BCAK provided
the forum and support for 27 strong and spirited
local women to form Dragon
Boat Team. A team of breast cancer survivors,
they paddle to slay the evil dragon of breast
cancer and to enrich their lives through creative
fire of the good dragon. Through its Exercise
And Dragon Boat Programs BCAK encourages women to
include physical fitness as an integral part of
their recovery from breast cancer. paddling
together in an invigorating, exhilarating and
life-affirming sport

• Programs
• Resource Centre
• Financial Resources
• Research
• Breast Cancer Resources Brochure
• Exercise Classes
• Financial Assistance
• Survivor Facilitated Support Group
• One-on-One Support
• Chestmates Dragon Boat Team
• Annual Four Day Healing Retreat
• Hands On
• Quarterly Newsletter
• Post-Operative Puffy Pillow Project

Research A key focus of BCAK is a commitment to
research and advocacy directed towards
prevention, early detection and treatment of
breast cancer. One third of the proceeds from the
Walk for Awareness is dedicated to research on
breast cancer. We have supported the work of
local researchers e.g. the purchase of a PCR
Cycler, epidemiological trials Risk of breast
cancer associated with oral contraceptives and
PCBs according to HER-2/neu status, Daughters
Without Breast Cancer Research Project Spit for
Science and given significant grants to
local hospitals.
Quarterly Newsletter With a mailing list of over
1800 in Canada and the United States and
distribution to key locations in the Kingston
area, our newsletter coincides with announcing
and reporting on major events in BCAKs calendar.
The contents include news of the current state
of breast cancer research and treatment, book
reviews, information on other breast cancer
organizations and tributes to members who have
died. A concerted effort is made to include
cancer researchers, results of pertinent clinical
trials and information on health care workers and
other individuals and organizations working in
relevant fields. Copies are distributed in
public venues and health care institutions and
posted on BCAKs web site.
Breast Cancer Resources Brochure Distributed
through the Southeastern Ontario Cancer Centre,
local hospitals and physicians offices, this
brochure includes information on how to obtain
support, prostheses and specialties, learning
resources, wigs and turbans, swimwear, nightwear
and lymphedema garments and financial assistance
in BCAKs catchment area.
Annual Four Day Healing Retreat The retreat is
held every year in heritage log buildings nestled
in a cedar grove along a beautiful river. A
diagnosis of breast cancer can shatter bodies,
psyches and souls. At this annual retreat, women
at any phase of breast cancer gather to offer and
receive the support and strength they need in
order to renew themselves. Through mediation,
guided imagery and writing and telling their
stories, women learn more about themselves and
offer their knowledge to one another. The time
spent together is one of information, creative
energy and hope that awakens them to the
tremendous opportunities to change, grow and
heal
Resource Centre The centre is open 12-4 Tuesday
and Thursday and 1-4 Wednesday and Friday. Off
hours calls are answered promptly by volunteer
phone coverage. There is an extensive library of
books, videos, CDs and tapes and includes
information about all aspects of breast cancer
and the environment as it pertains to breast
cancer, nutrition, exercise, prevention and
alternative therapies. Following a Rural Breast
Health Initiative, co-sponsored by the Ontario
Breast Cancer Information Exchange Program in
2001, a project was undertaken to place ten of
the most popular books on breast cancer in each
of the 27 branches on the local Public Library
(Frontenac, Lennox and Addington). Both
community projects have been funded by grants
from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Board
members also participate in teaching sessions at
local schools and community groups.
Exercise Classes BCAK recognizes the importance
of exercise in the prevention of lymphedema. Low
impact aerobics, strength training with an
emphasis on upper body, yoga and meditation
classes are offered five times a week at the
resource centre under the direction of a
Certified Fitness Instructor.
Post-operative Puffy Pillow Project To every
woman who has had breast cancer surgery, a pink
bag is delivered to her when leaving the
hospital. It contains an attractive boudoir
pillow to use under her arm or hold for comfort,
a small pouch in which to hold her drain and an
introduction to Breast Cancer Action Kingston,
its programs and resources. It is our way of
letting her know that BCAK is available for her
on many levels, whatever her need.
Financial Assistance Financial assistance is
provided to breast cancer survivors (upon
application) for medically related expenses for
prosthesis, bras, wigs, dental work, prescription
medication, transportation and extra-ordinary
living expenses.