A Message from the Board of Directors

Abounding growth, expansion, development and success describe the history of BCSS. For over 20 years Breast Cancer Support Services has responded to the needs of women and men with breast cancer, their families and the community at large.

Why the need?

Ontario leads the incidence of breast cancer within Canada. With over 1/3 of Canadian cases being diagnosed in Ontario. This year breast cancer will be newly diagnosed every 3 minutes, and a woman will die from breast cancer every 13 minutes. Breast cancer has a major psychological and social impact on an individual woman and very often her family as well.

Why do we do what we do?

Increased public awareness, greater use of early detection methods, and improved treatment strategies, along with other factors, has saved lives. Increased use of mammography has meant that tumors are being found at an earlier stage.

At Breast Cancer Support Services we successfully developed an education program focusing on Breast Health that is currently being delivered to communities throughout Ontario. It focuses on breast self examination, breast health and risks of breast cancer. This program has been extremely well received in our community and we would love to expand it throughout Canada.

By providing information and education about breast cancer we are able to help individuals make educated decisions about their health and treatment. This empowers them in the process, as knowledge gives strength.

Instilling hope is all part of the healing of breast cancer survivors. We help them to live with breast cancer and to grieve the losses and changes in a positive manner.

Our mandate at BCSS is to decrease the impact of breast cancer and create and increase breast cancer awareness. We will ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one needs to face breast cancer alone.

With the help of our community partners such as the “Trillium Foundation”, TRP Construction, Hamilton Golf & Country Club Women’s division, Roseland One Carpet and the Bauman Family, we have been able to renovate our new premises to provide accessibility and new meeting space for our programs. Our new facilities have allowed us to expand our programs and services to include Holistic Therapies, Journaling, Art Therapy and many other health and wellness programs.

With the help of Denbok Landscaping & Barbara Harrison and friends we have also built a Serenity Garden in our back yard. This garden provides a peaceful place for individuals who are affected by any type of cancer.

Mastectomy and Chemotherapy Kits – In 2007-08 we delivered 1200 Mastectomy kits to surgeons in the area and plan to deliver an additional 3000 Chemo Kits this fall and into 2009. The kits include items to help you through either surgery or treatment.

If you would like more information about the Serenity Garden, our programs, or how you can help us, please call Breast Cancer Support Services at 905-634-2333.