A nurse from Alexandra, who was diagnosed with a rare breast cancer last August, is hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast fundraiser and sharing her story to highlight lesser-known forms of the disease.

Michelle Smith had been given the all-clear from a mammogram in 2020, but then in July 2021 she found a hard lump in her breast near her armpit. When the lump became uncomfortable to sleep on, she saw her GP and was then referred for a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. The results confirmed the lump was a large and malignant phyllodes tumour – a rare form of breast cancer.

Michelle faced three months of treatment involving a mastectomy followed by radiation therapy. She was back to work by the end of January, and now she’s about to host her first Pink Ribbon Breakfast in support of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

“The support of my medical team, as well as Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, who provided me funding for physiotherapy and counselling, was amazing,” Michelle said.

“I can’t say enough how important it is for women to know their normal when it comes to their breasts. Take notice of how they look and get checked if this changes. We’re all busy, but you’ve got to put your health first – don’t let it take a back seat.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for New Zealand women, with around 240 women in the Southern DHB area diagnosed with it annually.

Pink Ribbon Breakfast is Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s biggest fundraising campaign, where each May, thousands of Kiwis get together to do good in their communities. The money raised goes towards ground-breaking research, education and awareness programmes, and patient support services.

But the Foundation is facing a 50% drop in Pink Ribbon Breakfast registrations on last year – a huge blow after two years of Covid-19 crushing their fundraising efforts. The charity desperately needs to increase registrations to hit its $2 million fundraising target.

“In this third year of the pandemic, we know people are facing really tough times, but every Pink Ribbon Breakfast – no matter how small or simple – will make a massive difference for Kiwi women with breast cancer,” said Ah-Leen Rayner, chief executive of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

“The funds raised will help us to restore and transform breast screening in New Zealand. We want women to get diagnosed more easily and quickly, which will greatly improve their survival chances,” Rayner added.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ receives no Government funding, so the support of the New Zealand public is vital for running all of the charity’s life-saving programmes.

For more information and to register to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast, visit www.pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz