Helping Hands

Helping Hands offers assistance to support Northland patients who have received a breast cancer diagnosis within the past 18 months.  It is a one-off support payment to a maximum value of $200.  Helping Hands can be provided for the following:

  • Grocery Vouchers

  • Petrol Vouchers

  • Reimbursement or payment on invoice for treatment and recovery costs.

  • Reimbursement of physiotherapy, exercise, or massage costs.

  • Reimbursement or payment on the production of an invoice for practical home help needed during treatment or recovery.

If you are
interested in
this service please contact your support person to request
this assistance
package.

BCSNT Volunteer
Support People

Would you like to talk to someone who has had breast cancer?

Breast Cancer Support Northland Volunteer Support People are all women who have been through the Breast Cancer journey. They all understand the fears and feelings that come with a breast cancer diagnosis they’ve been through it themselves. They are here to help you successfully navigate the journey by offering practical and emotional support, encouragement, information and a shoulder to cry on.

 

Our volunteers do not offer medical or treatment advice, and we always recommend that women, in the first instance, seek such information from their medical team, but we can listen and have information on resources available to you.

 

A Breast Cancer Support Northland Volunteer Person can give you a call or meet for a coffee, the amount of contact is up to you and your support person to decide.

Frozen Meals

If you are undergoing active treatment then some frozen meals may be useful for you to have.  Meal options are available to you at no cost up to the maximum value of:

 

  • $100 for a single person

  • $125 for a couple

  • $150 for a family  

 

Meals are provided by Sabres Ezi Meals in Kamo.
Their website is www.sabresezimeals.co.nz

 

Please note this offer is only available once.
Contact your support volunteer if you would like to apply for this assistance, they will take your order for you.

Weekly Exercise Option

 

Women only Table Tennis on a Tuesday from 9am to 11am. The group mainly consists of beginners.

Getting the right type of exercise can be beneficial before during and after cancer treatments. Table Tennis has many benefits including improving reflexes, it's easy on the joints, burns calories, improves balance, and is a social sport.

This option has no expensive membership requirements or regular commitment. It's $5 for up to 2 hours play time. Meet other women and try something new. Bring a friend with you or make new friends at the venue. Come along when you can.  We get a coffee break in between and a good chat.

Held at the Northland Table Tennis club, near Kensington Stadium. 

 

Group Gatherings

The meetings provide an opportunity for women with a present or past breast cancer diagnosis to meet in an informal environment for mutual support and encouragement.

Even if you have great support from family and friends, keeping in touch with a group of fellow patients adds a different perspective and gives you an opportunity to talk openly without feeling like you may upset your loved ones.

Fortnightly Coffee

Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, please check out our Facebook page for current status.

 


Thur 9th & 23rd June 
Thur 14th & 28th July
Thur 11th & 25th August


Held on the second and fourth Thursday of the month 9.30am at Mokaba Cafe at the Town Basin, come for a cuppa and a chat in a casual relaxed atmosphere.  Just look for the Pink Flower in the centre of a table.  If it's your first time the drink is on us!

Heart Shaped
Pillows

for post surgery
under arm Comfort

If you've recently had surgery for breast cancer, or are going to have surgery soon, a heart-shaped pillow can help your recovery. The pillows can be placed under your arm to help relieve pressure on tender, post-surgical areas.

 

Get in touch by sending us a message and we will get one to you for free 💗 Contact Us

Knitted
Knockers

Chris Finlayson is happy to support Northland women undergoing a mastectomy, by supplying acrylic knitted knockers. She does a range of different sizes and you can have just one or a pair. All she asks for is a Koha towards the materials used.

 

Contact Chris at onlyapoorwife@gmail.com with your requirements and she will do her best to assist you.

Wig Stands 

Free to borrow - Wig stands available for anyone to borrow to store their wig on, so it maintains its shape. 

 

They are crafted and turned out of wood. The wig stands are made here is Whangarei by volunteers at the Mens Shed.  Every stand is different in style and varies in height to suit the length of your wig.  All the stands have their own personalities.

 

Once they are no longer needed the stands should be returned to the Cancer Society Northland.   So they can then be recycled and passed on to other chemotherapy patients.

https://www.facebook.com/CancerSocietyNorthland

Turban Headwear

The Cancer Society Northland has a variety of Turbans available for free.  Styles and colours will vary and are subject to availability.

https://www.facebook.com/CancerSocietyNorthland

Port Pillows

Sometimes chemotherapy medicines are given through a port in your chest,  The port is a small disc that sits just under the skin. Wearing a seatbelt can sometimes put uncomfortable pressure on your port.  These pillows can help to remove that discomfort.

Available for free from the Cancer Society Northland.
https://www.facebook.com/CancerSocietyNorthland