Melanie’s story:
“Why I’m leaving a gift in my Will to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ”
Melanie is an incredibly passionate woman, with a long history in the education sector. She has felt the impact of breast cancer, losing friends and her beloved sister-in-law, Kate, who died from breast cancer in 2013.
Having been brought up with the values of giving back and supporting people, Melanie was motivated to raise $10,000 for the Foundation on a walk of the Great Wall of China. Every year since, she hosts a Pink Ribbon Breakfast with her work, buys tickets to the Pink Ribbon Walk with her friends, shakes a bucket for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, and most importantly, is leaving the Foundation a gift in her Will.
Kate was only 51 when she died. She had such a spiritual aura about her, she just was one of those extraordinary, lovely people. She was so special to me that I dedicated my PhD in memory of her.
From there, I started getting interested in cancer. I now know around five women who’ve been through breast cancer.
A couple of years ago, a friend told me about how her breasts were feeling lumpy but because she was so frightened, she didn’t go and get checked for so long. I didn’t understand that, with my background in epistemology, the study of thinking, I always try to understand things.
After Kate’s death, I needed to look into breast cancer and that’s what led me to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. I first got involved in 2013 by shaking a pink bucket, and then started doing everything I could to help.
In my lifetime, I want to see zero deaths from breast cancer. I believe the best way to do this is through education, that’s what Breast Cancer Foundation NZ does. We need to educate; we need people to understand it’s not a taboo subject anymore. Sharing information about getting your boobs checked and getting women to go to that half-hour screening appointment that could save their life.
I can understand what the Foundation is trying to do, why they’re doing it, and how it will help future generations. Even though I don’t have children, I don’t want my godchildren, my surrogate children and grandchildren, or my nieces and nephews to lose anyone to breast cancer.
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