Student uses tagging to raise breast cancer awareness

Former BCI patient Gayle Edwards recently sent the banner to the Institute with a letter detailing her young niece’s support and passion to raise breast cancer awareness. She wrote: ‘Throughout my medical challenges, I have had the wonderful support of my family and friends. A key participant … has been my 16 year old niece, Ashlea Milton-Smith, who, over the past four years, has supported me in various endeavours and charity functions ...” 

As part of the Seven Hills High School student’s Year 10 commerce studies, she started a face painting business and also sold spaces to write on a banner with a huge fluorescent pink ribbon, which generated $65. The banner is covered in names and notes handwritten by students and teachers including poignant messages such as ‘Baby don’t cry gotta keep ur head up’, ‘RIP Nana’ and ‘One day we will find a cure’. 

Gayle was deeply touched when Ashlea presented her with the banner and, in turn sent it to the BCI to acknowledge her niece’s efforts. ‘Ashlea is a warm and thoughtful girl who has raised awareness in the school about cancer and early detection. Her brushes with cancer, apart from me, included losing her grandmother (my mother) to lung cancer 10 years ago. I am so proud of her,’ Gayle wrote. 

Prof Boyages, Director of the NSW Breast Cancer Institute, said breast cancer not only affects the person with the diagnosis but the whole family. “Ashlea’s work shows how love from a family member or friend can provide hope and support for someone with a diagnosis of breast cancer.”  

Since May last year the BCI has been running the Breast screening program in the West of Sydney.  Prof Boyages said – Ashlea’s work also reminds us about the importance of making the time to have a free mammogram.  Call our Parramatta booking office on 132050 or 98433288 to have a free mammogram.  The best way to beat breast cancer is to find it early.

IMAGE COMING SOON.