A personal message from me

After five very special years as Chief Executive, I want to let you know that this is my last week at Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

This is a hard message to write because being part of this organisation, and this extraordinary community, has meant so much to me.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting people across Aotearoa whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. I’ve listened to women and whānau share their experiences, and worked alongside remarkable clinicians, researchers, volunteers, fundraisers, community groups, donors, advocates, businesses, health officials and partner organisations.

Your expertise, generosity and determination have shown me what’s possible when people unite around a shared vision: zero deaths from breast cancer.

Together, we have made real progress.

After years of campaigning, women aged 70 to 74 are gaining access to free breast screening, giving them a better chance to have breast cancer detected earlier. 

We’ve seen important new treatments funded, including Keytruda, the first targeted treatment for advanced triple negative breast cancer, and Enhertu for advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.

These milestones show that change is possible when strong evidence, determined advocacy and the voices of people affected by breast cancer come together.

One of the most powerful sources of that evidence is Te Rēhita Mate Ūtaetae – Breast Cancer Foundation National Register. With more than 60,000 patients’ records collected, Te Rēhita is now a crucial resource for the health system, powering research, revealing gaps in care, and providing the data needed to increase survival rates. 

You’ve helped grow the ways we support people in their everyday lives, too. 

Your donations have enabled the launch of myHT Guide, supporting people to stay on hormone therapy after breast cancer. Millions of New Zealanders receive life-saving early detection messages through impactful breast health education campaigns. And the nurse educators on board our Pink Campervans make trusted information and advice more accessible to communities.

With you behind us, we have strengthened our relationships with clinicians, researchers, decision-makers and health officials, and introduced a new organisational strategy focussed on finding breast cancer earlier and making sure everyone receives the best possible treatment and care. 

Central to this strategy is a stronger commitment to tackling the inequities faced by some New Zealanders. The fact wāhine Māori and Pacific women are more likely to die from breast cancer is unacceptable. Changing this requires us to listen, build trusted relationships and work differently. 

With your support, we are taking deliberate steps to strengthen our leadership, partnerships and ways of working so Māori and Pacific voices and priorities help shape the changes needed. This work takes time and care, but it’s essential if ‘zero deaths’ is to mean zero deaths for everyone. 

We have momentum, yet there is much more to do.

This election year is an important opportunity to keep breast cancer firmly on the national agenda. You’re helping to engage every political party to support three practical priorities: finding more cancers early, removing delays in diagnosis and funding effective medicines. 

No one’s chance of living, and living well, should depend on their ethnicity, postcode or ability to pay. We know where the greatest gaps are and we have the evidence, now we need the political commitment to act.

Of all that we have achieved together, it’s the people I will remember most. Those who have shared their stories, cared for patients, pursued new discoveries, volunteered, fundraised, opened doors and given generously. 

Whatever part you have played, this progress belongs to you. Thank you for caring so deeply, for standing beside people affected by breast cancer, and for believing a better future is possible.

I leave with enormous confidence in the Foundation’s people, strategy and future. This is a highly trusted and respected organisation that is focused and ready to lead the next chapter of change. After everything I have seen over these five years, I know what this community can achieve together. 

Thank you. It has been an absolute privilege. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Ah-Leen