Page 4766 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 20 October 2010
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sufferers is invaluable. The ACT Cancer Council provides valuable work and support through research, patient support and the provision of information, prevention, treatment and advocacy for women living with breast cancer. The ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group offers practical, emotional and financial support to breast cancer patients and their families to help them through the tumultuous time of diagnosis and treatment.
Bosom Buddies and Dragons Abreast ACT are great examples of non-profit organisations that support women living with breast cancer, working to provide emotional and practical support whilst raising awareness in the community. I would like to mention that there are a number of people in this room who will often get out and support those organisations. The linkages among the Assembly in a tripartisan sense are to be welcomed. I remember last year going to the Dragons Abreast event, which I got this pink bracelet from. Kate Lundy and I were there presenting the prizes together, and I will be there with Senator Kate Lundy at the Bosom Buddies event on Monday night in recognition.
I know that other members of the Assembly from all parties will be participating in many events over the coming week to support, recognise and acknowledge the hard work done by the many hundreds, or maybe thousands, of volunteers in recognition of the people suffering from breast cancer in the ACT. I do acknowledge that this is a very tripartisan endeavour. The organisations I spoke about are just the tip of the iceberg of organisations and individuals who do work in the ACT community to support those living with breast cancer. Their work is often unseen to us but it is very precious to many.
Whilst breast cancer may wage its war on an individual’s body, it will be defeated only by a team. In the ACT, this team is made up of caring practitioners, from doctors to nurses and radiologists, who strive for the best medical outcomes; of the family and friends who rally around to support the individual in their fight; and of the many volunteer-based agencies that jump in to provide the vital information and emotional and financial support.
I want to reiterate my support and admiration for the very hardworking and dedicated staff that we have throughout the ACT, and in particular those dedicated and hardworking staff in ACT Health who make a real difference for people suffering from breast cancer and who aid young women and older women by supporting them in preventative measures. I have been lucky enough to meet a number of them through the opportunities I have had to visit ACT Health, and I thank the minister for her gracious support in allowing me to go out and meet with staff through those opportunities.
As we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, I ask that we not only recognise individual survivors and those we have, sadly, lost, but also acknowledge these many unspoken heroes who have striven to bring breast cancer awareness to the forefronts of our mind.
I reiterate that the Canberra Liberals welcome Ms Porter’s motion. We will be supporting it. I have circulated an amendment which I ask the government and the Greens to consider supporting. I move:
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