Sophie's story: turning heartache into hope through community fundraising
When Sophie’s mum, Julie, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, the news came as a big surprise for the close-knit family. It was especially challenging for Sophie’s dad, and she knew she wanted to create a space for men to feel included in conversations about breast cancer.
For the past two years, Sophie has run the hugely successful Tits & Tees golf tournament, fundraising for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Not only a way to raise vital funds for families like hers, but it has also been a way to bring the community together to celebrate life and hope.
Mum was just 52 when she was diagnosed following a routine mammogram. It came as a massive shock and was hard on all of us – but especially my dad.
Dad is a typical Kiwi bloke. He internalised what he was feeling, which made the whole experience harder. I was witnessing Mum go through treatment while watching my dad quietly fall apart and not saying anything.
After Mum's year of treatment, I knew I wanted to celebrate overcoming breast cancer as a family and raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
But I wanted our Pink Ribbon event to include my dad and brother, and a morning tea didn’t feel right for us. So, the idea of a Tits & Tees golf tournament was born: a unique blend of golf, community, and compassion in support of breast cancer research and awareness.
In 2024, over 225 people attended the Tits & Tees Tournament. Together, we raised an incredible $45,000 for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Following that success, I hosted another tournament this May, with a goal of raising $50,000.
This year's event was even more special. We had 210 attendees and raised over $56,000 from the tournament, bringing our two-year total to over $100,000.
For me, Tits & Tees is a massive undertaking. But I do it for the women, men, and families whose lives are impacted by breast cancer every single day.
I’ve experienced firsthand what it feels like when someone you love is facing breast cancer. Truthfully, I still deal with that every day, in both good ways and hard ones. It’s taught me what’s important. So, when I see the turnout each year, the number of people in one room, the shared stories and connections, it makes it all worth it.
"At the end of the day, we’re all someone’s parent, child, sibling, friend, or colleague. That’s what this is about: months of planning to create an event that everyone can be part of. One that encourages talking about boobs because those conversations save lives."
Tits & Tees is so much more than a golf tournament. It came out of something that was so sad for our family, but to be able to help so many people is such a blessing. It’s a testament to everyone who has been impacted by breast cancer.
Thanks to generous donors and community supporters like you, events like Tits & Tees are turning personal challenges into collective triumphs, funding essential research, awareness, and support for families across Aotearoa. Your contributions make stories of hope possible. Thank you for being part of the change.
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