Here are a range of speeches, interviews and media pieces:
- On 15 June 2013, I did a radio interview on Hutt Radio.
- On 24 April 2013, this interview appeared in the Kapiti Observer.
- On 18 October 2012, BC Nirvana was featured on Tagata Pasifika TV show (here on youtube).
- On 29 June 2012, I did a breast cancer nirvana interview on Radio Australia.
- On 27 June 2012, here is my speech at the BC Nirvana launch.
- Here is my article on page 7 in CanTalk July 2012.
- Here is an article on the SpasifikMag.com website June 2102.
- An article on the Northern Courier website on 16 July 2012.
- An article in the Petone Herald on 11 July 2012.
Media Release April 2013: One woman’s breast cancer becomes award winning
Surviving breast cancer twice spurred one Pacific woman to share her personal journey online in a bid to help others and this week, she was recognised for her contribution to the community.
Andrea Fairbairn won a CALI Award from the Five Point Five organisation (CALI stands for: Community, Action, Leadership and Inspiration) http://fivepointfive.org/ for her website www.breastcancernirvana.co.nz.
The website shares the stories of breast cancer survivors, practical advice and tips.
Andrea says she is thrilled to receive the award for what started as an outlet for her to cope with her own diagnosis.
Normally quite shy, Andrea says “If my website can help demystify breast cancer somewhat, and reduce the fear and stigma of breast cancer, even if just a little, then it’s been worthwhile.”
Andrea began documenting her story online in 2011 when she was diagnosed for the second time on her 39th birthday. Now 45, Andrea says it’s been different the second time round.
“When I had breast cancer the first time, everything was new to me so the second time round I knew what to expect. But I felt I had more of a sense of purpose in trying to help other women who were going through the same thing and so I started the website”.
Of Samoan descent, she was also keen to raise awareness amongst Pacific and Maori women. Statistics show that they are more likely to die from breast cancer, more likely to get more aggressive forms of cancer, and less likely to go for mammograms.
She says the website has enabled her to reach out to a wider audience not only here but overseas.
“Women have told me they want to see more success stories of people come through Breast Cancer with flying colours. If it gives people a little certainty about what to expect then it’s worth it,” Andrea says.
“I wanted it to help people find some peace, support and inspiration – that breast cancer could take people to a good and potentially better life post-cancer. Breast cancer changes your life and many people I have spoken to talk about how it helped to change their lives for the better. Not everyone obviously but there is potential for something positive to come out of it” she explains.
http://fivepointfive.org/ started the CALI Awards to recognise inspiring people who utilise leadership in creating positive change for people or the world around us. CALI Award recipients are willing to do what it takes to make a difference and celebrated for what they are – modern day heroes.
For more information please contact: Andrea Fairbairn on 027 662 6253 (mob)
Media Release two: New Breast Cancer Website Launched
Surviving breast cancer not once but twice spurred one Pacific woman to share her personal journey of highs and lows. And what started as something quite personal for Andrea Fairbairn has turned into an opportunity to raise awareness amongst Pacific women.
“It started as therapy, for my own sanity and healing process,” Andrea says. “I wasn’t trying to do it for anyone but me at first when I kept my first cancer journal in 2007. But as I’ve continued to tell my story online, many women are telling me how its helping them get through their own ordeal.”
The Wellingtonian started documenting her story online in 2011 as a way of coping with her second diagnosis. Not surprisingly the news hit her hard, but Andrea says it’s been different the second time round.
“When I had breast cancer the first time, it was hard and there was so much learning in that time. But when I was diagnosed a second time, it felt different. I had already learned as much as I could learn about the disease. This time, I felt that part of the purpose of my breast cancer was to help others and less about me.”
Writing about her condition gave her some solace from the strenuous treatments and thus www.breastcancernirvana.co.nz was created.
“The name came about as I wanted the website to help people find some peace, support and inspiration – that breast cancer could take people to a good and potentially better life post cancer. Breast cancer can be a life changer in every way but also, many people in retrospect talk about how cancer somehow helped to change their lives for the better. Not everyone obviously but there is potential for it to be a positive change agent in people’s lives,” she explains.
As well as telling her journey, it’s been a vehicle to tell other inspiring stories, as well as provide a hub of practical tips and resources.
“I wanted to celebrate everything positive that I have experienced in my journey and to raise awareness of breast cancer, especially amongst our Pacific and Maori women. Statistics show that we are more likely to die from the disease, more likely to get more aggressive forms of cancer, and less likely to go for mammograms.”
Normally quite shy, she says the website has enabled her to reach out to a wider audience not only here but overseas. Knowing that it’s making an impact has seen her continue to build up the website despite suffering regular migraines, nausea and allergies.
“Women have told me they want to see more success stories of people come through Breast Cancer with flying colours. If it gives people a little certainty about what to expect then it’s worth it,” says Andrea.
Andrea believes the next natural step was to raise funds for the Cancer Society. She is holding a charity auction on Wednesday, 27 June at Macs Brew Bar, Cable Street, Wellington.
Friends and family have volunteered their time and rallied around to get donated goods with all proceeds to be donated.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Breast Cancer Nirvana – Charity Auction
When: 27 June Time: 5.30pm
Where: Macs Brew Bar, Cable Street, Wellington
Tickets available please email gillianvincent@xtra.co.nz
www.breastcancernirvana.co.nz and find them on Facebook
Media Release 15 June 2012
Surviving breast cancer not once, but twice has spurred one Pacific woman to share her personal journey of highs and lows to help others.
What started as something quite personal for Andrea Fairbairn has turned into an opportunity to raise awareness amongst Pacific women.
“It started as therapy, for my own sanity and healing process. I wasn’t trying to do it for anyone but me at first when I kept my first cancer journal in 2007. But as I’ve continued to tell my story online, many women are telling me how its helping them get through their own ordeal,” says Andrea.
The Wellingtonian started documenting her story online in 2011 as a way of coping with her second diagnosis. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer on her 39th birthday. Not surprisingly the news hit her hard. Now 44, Andrea says it’s been different the second time round.
“When I had breast cancer the first time, it was hard and there was so much learning in that time. But when I was diagnosed a second time, it felt different. I had already learned as much as I could learn about the disease. This time, I felt that part of the purpose of my breast cancer was to help others and less about me.”
Writing about her condition gave her some solace from the strenuous treatments and thus http://breastcancernirvana.co.nz was created.
“The name came about as I wanted the website to help people find some peace, support and inspiration – that breast cancer could take people to a good and potentially better life post cancer. Breast cancer can be a life changer in every way but also, many people in retrospect talk about how cancer somehow helped to change their lives for the better. Not everyone obviously but there is potential for it to be a positive change agent in people’s lives,” she explains.
As well as telling her journey, it’s been a vehicle to tell other inspiring stories, as well as provide a hub of practical tips and resources.
“I wanted to celebrate everything positive that I have experienced in my journey and to raise awareness of breast cancer, especially amongst our Pacific and Maori women. Statistics show that we are more likely to die from the disease, more likely to get more aggressive forms of cancer, and less likely to go for mammograms.”
Andrea was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer that only constitutes 20 per cent of breast cancers. HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. She is still going through Herceptin treatment with side effects of fatigue, low immunity and headaches but is happy to receive this drug through the public health system as with her last diagnosis, Andrea was required to pay nearly $70,000 (the majority provided by friends and family through fundraising).
Normally quite shy, she says the website has enabled her to reach out to a wider audience not only here but overseas. Knowing that it’s making an impact has seen her continue to build up the website despite suffering regular migraines, nausea and allergies.
“Women have told me they want to see more success stories of people come through Breast Cancer with flying colours. If it gives people a little certainty about what to expect then it’s worth it,” says Andrea.
Andrea believes the next natural step was to raise funds for the Cancer Society. She is holding a charity auction on Wednesday, 27 June at Macs Brew Bar, Cable Street, Wellington.
Friends and family have volunteered their time and rallied around to get donated goods with all proceeds to be donated.
If you are interested in attending or keen to donate any goods for auction, check out the details below.
About Breast Cancer Nirvana
What are the goals of BCN?
- BCN is outcome focused: studies show that women with more support are more likely to survive BC. I want to give women a better chance of survival.
- It’s so important to have positive things available for women with BC. BCN provides resources to get a better chance of survival.
- To tell positive stories about how BC can be a positive life experience post-BC.
- Using my experience for good. Sharing the ups and downs and gory details.
- Assisting understanding and communication. To change the conversation on BC and demystify the reality of cancer and;
- My own benefit – my sanity and therapy.
Why am I doing BCN?
- It started as therapy, for my own sanity, part of my personal development and healing process. I wasn’t trying to get anywhere with it. But I’ve been consistent with this and now it’s helping others.
- To increase understanding of BC. I have documented my experiences even when I felt rotten. I wanted to use my experiences for good.
- When I had BC the first time, it was hard and there was so much learning in that time. But when I got BC the second time, it felt different; I had already learned as much as I could learn about BC. This time, I felt that part of the purpose of my BC was to help others and that it was less about me..sort of my destiny.
- To other women and their families. People want to see success stories of people come through BC with flying colours. It helps others with uncertainty and they will know what to expect.
What I hope to get out of BCN?
- More support for those going through BC translating into better lives and increased BC survival rates
- Sharing of my real experience might help others
- To increase understanding. To change the conversation and understanding of cancer, open the curtains and to reduce awkwardness.
- My sanity and personal development!
Who does BCN target?
- People at any stage of breast cancer and their families
- For people who have not had cancer but want to understand more about cancer e.g. my eBook. 10 Dos and Don’ts when supporting someone with breast cancer written for families and friends of someone with BC.
- In NZ, currently one in nine women will have breast cancer and we are all affected by these statistics.
- BCN is useful to anyone in the world going through BC. However,BC is the most common form of cancer to affect New Zealand women – every year 2,750 women and 20 men in this country will be diagnosed.