Melbourne Football Club has stood strong with Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) since the inaugural Field of Women event in 2005.
The club’s support has lent BCNA a platform and an iconic venue in the MCG, which has allowed the not-for-profit charity to hold a subsequent Pink Lady match each year and further its objective to support all Australians affected by breast cancer.
The colourful turnout provokes both joy and sadness, recognising that since the last Field of Women five years ago, more than 100,000 Australians have been diagnosed with breast cancer – enough to fill the entire MCG – and 15,000 people have lost their lives.
“We celebrate the fact that so many of us have survived, but we also pay tribute and never forget those whom breast cancer has stolen from us,” said Lyn Swinburne, who founded BCNA in 1998 following her own breast cancer diagnosis.
“It’s an overwhelming sense of solidarity and a shared understanding of our common experiences.”
Breast cancer offers a resolute reminder that the pervasive disease does not discriminate.
A breast cancer diagnosis can be faced by individuals of all genders, ages, health and fitness levels and backgrounds.
“The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer over a lifetime is one in seven for women and one in 555 for men,” Swinburne said.
A common misconception is that only older demographics are at risk.
Jessica Cao, legal counsel at the AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA), was diagnosed with breast cancer at 28.
“I would say that a lot of women, in particular young women, aren’t aware of these risks and it’s through events like Field of Women that we can get this message out,” Cao said.
“I really believe in sport as a platform for social education and change, and Field of Women is an important event on the AFL calendar.”
Cao will be standing with friends and AFLPA colleagues.
“Breast cancer affects the AFL community and it’s meaningful that we can help raise money and awareness,” she said.
“A number of AFL and AFLW players are ambassadors for both the event and BCNA.”
Equally humbling is the realisation that fitness and good health do not exempt a diagnosis, as AFL Broadcast and Venue Stakeholder Manager Sarah Sharpe experienced.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of self-checks as I’m living proof it can happen to anyone,” Sharpe said.
“I had no family history and lived a fit and healthy lifestyle my whole life, I never expected it could happen to me.”
Sharpe says the work of BCNA is crucial in advocating for everyone with breast cancer.
“Anything we can do to help raise much needed funds and awareness could save so many lives,” she said.
“From the day of my diagnosis, the BCNA website and My Journey app has been my go-to resource for information, and at such a daunting time it was amazing to have those tools and know I could trust the information.”
For more information and resources on breast cancer, or to find out more about BCNA’s work, visit bcna.org.au or call our Helpline 1800 500 258.
