Bosom Buddies’ 21st fundraising event raises £6,000 for Breast Cancer Unit
A whopping £6,000 has been donated to Royal Surrey’s Breast Cancer Unit, thanks to an annual Ladies Night Dinner Dance held by local group Bosom Buddies who have been fundraising for the last 21 years to support the unit.
Marie Lee from Bosom Buddies presented a cheque, as well as a special celebratory cake, on Monday to Tracey Irvine, one of the Trust’s Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeons.
The first Ladies Night was organised by Marie in 2000 after her sister Philomena was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36 and became the first patient Royal Surrey recruited into a major UK trial that the Trust was participating in. Mr Kissin,the lead Breast Surgeon at the time, who was running the trial at Royal Surrey, contacted the local community asking for fundraising support and Bosom Buddies’ Ladies Night Dinner Dance was born.
Philomena has now recovered from breast cancer but Bosom Buddies continues to fundraise for the Breast Cancer Unit with its hugely popular annual dinner dance events.
Marie said: “The Bosom Buddies Ball brings together a group of local women whose lives have been touched by breast cancer but it’s never a sad event. In fact, just the opposite, it’s always a fun and lively evening, full of laughter and jokes.”
Tracey said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to Bosom Buddies for their continued support and generosity over the last 21 years. Their efforts have allowed us over the years to buy many valuable items of specialist equipment and explore innovations designed to improve patient experience. This year we are looking into using the funds to help create a special rest area for our hardworking Breast team, amongst other plans. We are extremely grateful to this dedicated group of women and their enthusiastic supporters. Thank you.”
Last year, despite the Covid-19 restrictions around meeting up in groups larger than six, the Bosom Buddies came up with the idea of moving the event to a virtual platform allowing groups of six to host their own fundraising event. The ingenious workaround raised £5,000 for the unit.
Marie said: “The work of Bosom Buddies means a lot to all of the women involved and we are determined to continue helping Royal Surrey’s Breast Cancer Unit. I know I speak for all of us when I say how thrilled we are to be able to make a difference to women facing a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.”