A SEA of pink filled LIONS@Springwood as nearly 200 guests gathered for the annual Go Pink luncheon, sharing an afternoon with a purpose that reached well beyond the tables.
The “At the Ballet” themed celebration raised almost $100,000, making it one of Mater Foundation’s largest fundraisers during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Behind the colour and occasion was a practical commitment: helping women find their way through the difficult first stages of a breast cancer diagnosis.
Proceeds support the Early Breast Cancer Care Coordinator role at Mater Cancer Care Centre in South Brisbane, providing patients and their families with someone to turn to as they navigate unfamiliar appointments, specialist teams and decisions about their care.
For coordinator Esther White, whose role is funded through the luncheon’s fundraising, that means being a familiar face when much of life suddenly feels uncertain.
“I work with a lot of our specialist teams, and I’m really that constant support person,” Ms White said.
“Not every patient has the same needs, it’s often a bit of a journey… it really transitions through different stages.”
“Our patients don’t feel alone if they see events like this and see the community supporting them.”
— Esther White, Early Breast Cancer Care Coordinator
With one in four Queensland women with breast cancer receiving treatment at Mater, the generosity shown at Springwood helps sustain a role supporting families from across the state. Ms White said seeing people come together for the cause also reminded patients that their community was behind them.
“It’s so exciting to see our community come together on behalf of our patients and their families,” she said.
The luncheon is one of several Mater Foundation initiatives held throughout October, with chief executive Andrew Thomas encouraging others to bring their own friends, families or colleagues together for a Breasties Brunch.
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re hoping to raise vital funds to support the extraordinary work of all our Breast Care Clinicians around Queensland and everything they do in helping those impacted by breast cancer,” Mr Thomas said.
“It’s as simple as registering and getting together to raise funds with family, friends or colleagues.”
Mr Thomas thanked the Brisbane Lions and the team at LIONS@Springwood for hosting the event and their ongoing fundraising partnership. For Ms White, the value of the afternoon was measured in the support it would bring to people facing some of their hardest days.
“The generosity you extend goes to the people that need it most, and the ripple effect is felt through our communities.”
