TO ERADICATE BREAST CANCER AS A LIFE - THREATENING DISEASE
I never thought I would get breast cancer. It was a
difficult period for me but with the help of my family,
my support group at Breast Cancer Foundation, and my doctors,
I have finally come to terms with my cancer and learnt to face it. More..
- Breast Cancer Survivor
BCF believes that members play an active role in education and raising awareness of breast cancer. Both men and women are encouraged to become members.
President’s Message
Breast Cancer Foundation has, for the past 13 years, been at the forefront promoting breast
cancer awareness and advocating early detection in Singapore. Being diagnosed with breast
cancer can be a fearful finding but it need not be a death sentence. Over the years, BCF has
worked hard to support and deliver the message of hope to women with the disease.
Through BCF’s fervent advocacy efforts and support programmes, breast cancer survivors have
received the strength and inspiration to live full and active lives beyond breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Singapore. According to the Singapore Cancer Registry, 1 in 17 women develops breast cancer in her lifetime. Annually, more than 1,400 women are diagnosed with the cancer.
More needs to be done but BCF will not be able to fight this monumental battle alone. We will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of early detection and align ourselves with as many stakeholders and corporations to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease.
As BCF reflects upon its successes, we are equally optimistic and excited over the direction and plans we have for the future. In the new financial year there will be self-renewal at the Executive Committee level to ensure that BCF remains relevant and dynamic. We are pleased to inform that the composition of the new 12-member Executive Committee will comprise six men and six women so that BCF is able to impact as many sectors in the community as possible, directly or indirectly. The EXCO includes new faces who will continue to energise and bring forth fresh ideas for the good of BCF and the beneficiaries we serve.
In keeping with the organisation’s tradition of ensuring that it is not a “for women-by-women” organisation and recognising the important role of the men, BCF will be strengthening its Men Support League with greater engagement and involvement of the men to realise our mission. We cannot emphasise enough the role of the men in supporting the women detect breast cancer early or be that pillar of strength to help them overcome the cancer.
Enhancing the skills of staff and active volunteers to be more effective in the organisation’s outreach efforts will be a key priority. In 2011, we welcomed a new General Manager, and Manager for Marketing Communications and Public Affairs, to further buttress the Secretariat team. We will also embark on a formally structured training in counselling to better equip our volunteer-survivors and caregivers.
In 2010, BCF partnered with many organisations and companies to raise breast cancer awareness. BCF led the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) in October as Chair of the BCAM Committee and was delighted to work with the National Cancer Centre, National University Cancer Institute, Health Promotion Board and Singapore Cancer Society for greater outreach under the theme of “Pay more attention to the things that matter more”. One of the highlights was the launch of the year-long Breast Cancer Exhibition at the Science Center. BCF worked jointly with the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the Science Centre Singapore, to set up an interactive exhibition on breast cancer.
BCF’s dragon boat team, Paddlers in the Pink (PIP) participated in the Malaysia International Dragon Boat Festival 2010 in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur. The PIP’s participation in highly competitive sports event was noteworthy as it demonstrated the determination, strength and courage of the breast cancer survivors at the international level.
The Ladies in the Pink, BCF’s latin line dance group, comprising breast cancer survivors of various ages, also participated in several community events and functions, reflecting their zest for live and the ability to stay active and healthy.
Strategic partnerships with the government, healthcare service providers, corporations and NGOs also enabled BCF to make good progress in our services to better serve the women and families affected by breast cancer.
It has been another good year for BCF, I would like to express my appreciation to all the volunteers for working tirelessly to advance the cause of breast cancer awareness. Their willingness to expend time and energy has enabled BCF to reach out and lessen the suffering of those fighting the disease.
I also wish to thank our esteemed Patron, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, the former Senior Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, our Executive Committee Members, both new and those who have stepped down, and the staff of BCF for their passion to advocate and promote the cause. A special word of appreciation also goes to our former President of BCF, Mrs Fang Ai Lian, for her wise and self-less leadership the past 13 years. We will continue to fortify and entrench the good work done.
Heartfelt gratitude to all our generous sponsors and donors for partnering BCF and touching the lives of thousands of women in Singapore.
You will never know the pain until you lose someone to breast cancer. Don’t wait for that day to come. We can do our part to save the women in our lives. Together, let’s press on for early detection; give hope to those having to journey breast cancer and help them return to the community for the betterment of themselves and the society.
We look forward to your kind and continual support.
Mrs Noor Quek
President, BCF