"Splash of Pink" - So Brave Ladies long lunch in support of young women's breast cancer

A Splash of Pink Long Lunch is So Brave’s way of supporting and uplifting the brave women battling breast cancer before their 40th birthday. These women have shown tremendous strength and resilience in the face of adversity, and it is our honour to stand by their side.

Breast cancer is a disease that affects women of all ages, and it can be especially challenging for those diagnosed at a young age. They may be in the prime of their lives, with careers, families, and dreams still ahead of them. But with your help, we can give them hope and support as they navigate this difficult journey, and raise much-needed funds to continue research into breast cancer.

Together, we can make a difference in their lives. By supporting young women with breast cancer, we help them overcome the challenges they face and live their best lives despite their diagnosis. 

Young women are our future - of our communities, our families, and our world. When we support them in their fight against breast cancer, we invest in the future of our society.

Breast cancer can affect young women differently than older women. They may have unique treatment needs, fertility concerns, and emotional challenges that require specialised care.

Young women with breast cancer are some of the bravest, most inspiring people you will ever meet. They face this disease head-on, with courage and grace, and show us what true strength looks like.: No one deserves to have their life cut short by breast cancer, especially young women who have so much ahead of them. By supporting them, we are giving them the opportunity to live full, meaningful lives.

So, let's come together and support young women with breast cancer. Let's show them that they are not alone, and that we are here to help them through every step of their journey. With our help, they can overcome this disease and  live incredible, fulfilling lives.

The risk of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime is 1 in 7. About 75% of breast cancer cases occur in women over 50. But breast cancer can and does happen in young women, with around 1000 women under 40 projected to be diagnosed with the disease in 2023.

So Brave is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Rachelle Panitz. 

So Brave’s mission is to EMPOWER young women diagnosed with breast cancer; raise AWARENESS in young women to be #breastaware; EDUCATE young women, and fundraise for breast cancer RESEARCH. Rachelle knows and understands firsthand the challenges of breast cancer. 

When Rachelle was 32, her life changed. The breast cancer diagnosis not changed her life, but the lives of those around her, including her two young children and her husband, Ken. 

With no family history or genetic predisposition to breast cancer, Rachelle found a lump when she was pregnant with her son. 

For 18 months, Rachelle endured a raft of treatments - surgery, chemo, radiation, immunotherapy and hormone therapy - all while juggling being a new mum and the mum of a three year old daughter. She fought the good fight, but emotionally the experience lingers.

Like all true warriors of change, she has used her experience to bring hope and support to other women enduring a similar journey. As the founder of So Brave, Rachelle has turned her pain into a passion for making sure other young women are #breastaware. Rachelle’s personal journey underpins So Brave’s important work. 

“I had to navigate a medical system that wasn’t equipped with the resources or support needed to help me through it,” Rachelle said.

“That was just one challenge I had to face amidst so many. We live in a world that thinks breast cancer is an older woman’s disease. It is not. Five percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are under 40, and the system isn’t always equipped to help these women navigate the massive ‘what ifs’ that they face post diagnosis.

“I had to search the depths of my inner being to work out how on earth I could accept my diagnosis.”

Rachelle will share her journey and why the world needs organisations like So Brave.

Our fundraising event is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and make a difference. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help women under 40 with breast cancer provide critical resources. From medical care to emotional support, these resources can make all the difference in their lives.

So Brave’s Splash of Pink Long Lunch is a moment to recognise the strength and courage of the women fighting this disease. They are an inspiration to us all, and their determination to overcome the challenges they face is truly remarkable. We are here to support them every step of the way.

So, let's come together and make a difference. Let's show these women that they are not alone, and that we are here to help them in any way we can. With your support, we can make a real impact in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.

Grab a ticket, bring your friends, and together, we can make a difference.

Ticket price includes a 3 course lunch and drinks package, including non-alcoholic drink choices.

Hear from our inspiring guest speaker Renée Kinman

Renee said “As a young woman with breast cancer, and more so since my recurrence and progression to metastatic, I believe there needs to be more awareness of the community, and tailored support and resources available to young women who face what is technically incurable and terminal illness (speaking from a metastatic point of view). 

“Your 20s, 30s and 40s should not be a time for facing breast cancer, or any other type of cancer, whatever the stage, but unfortunately it is a reality for some of us. The best people to advocate for those who find themselves, or still face cancer, are those who have been there themselves - our fellow young women who know what it’s like and who may share the emotions, feelings and frustrations of this roller coaster.”

Renee believes the faces and stories of young women affected by breast cancer need to be out there. She will share her story… be prepared to be inspired and motivated by this young woman’s journey

Raffles and silent auction

And there are some cool raffle and auction prizes on offer, with all funds going to drive So Brave’s mission.

Peche Medispa - Hollywood Glow Facial voucher $440rrp 

KAILO Luxury Medispa 

• Wellness Bundle 30 Minute Infrared Sauna, LED Healite Facial & any product from the KAILO Nutrition Range. Approx $330 
• Red Carpet 'Healite' Facial | $199 | 45 Minutes 
  The perfect lunch-time facial or pre-event pick me up utilising the benefits of LED Healite Therapy. Cleanse I Exfoliation I Healite I Mask I Serum Infusion 
• Infrared Sauna - Relax and enjoy the powerful benefits of infrared sauna, promoting detoxification and reducing inflammation in the body.  Individual Session | $30 | 30 Minutes 

The Inchcolm by Ovolo Hotel – 1 night’s accommodation and breakfast for 2 RRP $500

Sirromet Retreat – 1 Night’s accommodation and breakfast for 2 RRP $500

Your MC is the fabulous Annette Densham, co-founder of The Audacious Agency. Annette is no stranger to fighting for her life, having been diagnosed with a rare disease in her 20s. She understands the life-changing moments that come with health challenges, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with supporting those affected by cancer after caring for her Mum. Her humour, reliability and down to earthiness make her the perfect MC for this 

About So Brave

So Brave is a multi-award winning, nationally recognised charity known for 'punching well above our weight'. So Brave may be small, but our size is our superpower. While we may be small, we are mighty.  We are responsive: agile enough to respond to new opportunities, the changing needs of breast cancer patients, and the changing charity environment. We move quickly so we can respond to breast cancer issues affecting young women. 

Over the past eight years, we’ve achieved:

- 64 young breast cancer survivors participating in our signature So Brave Model Ambassadors program
- created 8 bodypainting calendars of inspirational young breast cancer survivors bravely sharing their scars is one of a kind.
- connected pioneering US breast resensation surgeons with Australian breast and plastic surgeons and young survivors - these surgeries are now available to Australian patients through our advocacy (Resensation® is a surgical technique designed to restore sensation after a mastectomy)
- 60+ surgeons attended our Australian-first webinar (June 2021)
- connected young women to world-first personalised research opportunities and information (since 2016)
- Australian-first young women's breast cancer advisory committee (since 2020 with QUT and UQ students)
- Australia’s first young breast cancer survivor Patient Advisory Group (established 2023)
- Young survivors connecting and accessing information through our online support hub and health professionals.

The big question is - do you want to help change the conversation for young women and breast cancer in Australia? We hope it is big YES!

THANK YOU for your interest in our first Splash of Pink Long Lunch supporting So Brave - Australia's only young women's breast cancer charity

Get ready to join us for a fabulous afternoon!!

All the details:

Where: Lurleen's, Sirromet Wineries, Mt Cotton Rd, Mt Cotton (Brisbane)

When: Friday 16 June 2023 12pm - 4pm

Inclusions: a glass of premium Sirromet sparkling wine on arrival, 2-course lunch and 3-hour premium Sirromet wine package

What's happening?: Raffles, Auctions, Inspirational Speakers, Entertainment

All in aid of young women's breast cancer.

Our signature bodypaint experience brings empowerment, resilience and connection.