Swan Care Village residents Glenice Saunders and Kathleen Hudson with chief executive Graham Francis.
Camera IconSwan Care Village residents Glenice Saunders and Kathleen Hudson with chief executive Graham Francis. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey        www.communitypix.com.au d438393

Breast cancer fundraiser’��s purple bra day

Vanessa SchmittWeekend Kwinana Courier

“I was shocked,” Mrs Sanders said.

“Nobody in the family has ever had cancer and I have three daughters, so yes, I was genuinely shocked.”

Mrs Sanders has always helped other people but when she heard the news, she quickly found herself relying on others.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“When people wanted to help me, I found that very hard but had to accept it,” she said.

After undergoing extensive radiotherapy treatment, Mrs Sanders was relieved to hear she had finally beaten the disease.

The retiree is one of the ‘bosom buddies’ at SwanCare’s Bentley Park residential care facility, who are participating in Purple Bra Day fundraising for breast cancer research.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

In support of other women, Mrs Sanders and her friends decided to dye 200 bras purple to symbolise the hope of women with the disease and as a way of saying thank you to support groups.

“I can’t thank BreastCare WA enough for all of their support during the time I was undergoing treatment; the breast cancer nurses helped me enormously and I’m forever grateful,” she said.

“The organisation touches the lives of so many people living with breast cancer and they do a wonderful job; this is a way of saying thank you by getting the SwanCare community involved in this really great cause,” she said.

In addition to the bizarre bra display, a 1930s fashion parade has been organised as well as an afternoon tea.

Residents will also hear from breast cancer survivor Andy Kahle, who will share her determination and rollercoaster journey of fighting a particularly aggressive form of cancer.

Purple Bra Day is on June 19 and is the major fundraising event for BreastCare WA.

For more on the SwanCare event, call 6250 0010.