So Brave 2024 Shine Bright Like a Diamond Gala Dinner

Following the success of our first Shine Bright Like a Diamond Gala Dinner held in June 2022 and again in October 2023, So Brave brings this annual Gala Dinner event to July 2024, to celebrate all the incredible achievements of the organisation, to recognise those important young women at the centre of our mission and to continue to bring awareness to the issue of young women and breast cancer. 

The Shine Bright Like a Diamond Gala Dinner 2024 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. 

Together, we can change the future for young women who have not been diagnosed, by intervening with education and information to build health literacy and advocacy skills before they ever need to use them. 

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 Shine Bright Like a Diamond Gala Dinner 2024 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 table, bring your friends, and together, we can make a difference!

Special SUPER EARLY BIRD TICKETS now on sale - $130 includes a 3 course dinner and 3 hour premium drinks package, including non-alcoholic drink choices.

HURRY!!! super early bird tickets MUST END 31 March!

We will hear from inspiring young breast cancer survivors and thrivers.

Speaker announcement to come!

There are many ways you can contribute - you can sponsor a table for $2000, you can sponsor an hour of the event, and you can partner to become named sponsor of the entire event.

On the night there will be incredible raffles, auctions, inspirational speakers, dancing & entertainment, with all funds going to drive So Brave’s mission.

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)
- 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 the Shine Bright Like a Diamond Gala Dinner 2024 supporting So Brave - Australia's only young women's breast cancer charity.

Get ready to join us for a fabulous evening!!

All the details:

Where: Garden Marquee, Victoria Park Function Venue

When: Saturday 20 July 2024 6pm for 6:30pm start, until 10:30pm

Dress: Sparkly evening wear/ formal

Inclusions: chef inspired 3 course meal, 3 hour premium drinks package, including non-alcoholic drink options

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

Seats are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!

All in aid of young women's breast cancer.

Our signature bodypaint experience brings empowerment, resilience and connection.