Survivors farewell superhero

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Survivors farewell superhero

About 300 people packed the Waterview Convention Centre at Homebush on the 25th of October for a hearty breakfast and a celebration of hope for breast cancer survivors, their family and friends.

Westmead Breast Cancer Institute (BCI) Director Professor John Boyages said the Best Breast Breakfast, which started eight years ago, gets bigger every year.

“It’s fantastic to see so many supporting this event. This year we had some very special highlights including a farewell for Owen Ung, who came from Queensland in 1993 and was the first of more than 30 fellows who trained at the BCI.”

Fifteen years later, Prof. Ung is heading back to the sunshine state, leaving a legacy of dedication and expertise. Among his many accomplishments, Professor Ung was Head of Breast Surgery at the BCI; Director of General Surgery at Westmead; Clinical Assoc. Prof. of Surgery at Sydney University; Westmead Association President and Assessor for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and BreastScreen Australia.

L-R: Margaret Mapperson, Prof John Boyages, Prof Owen Ung, Susan Ung, Danielle Napoli

“It isn’t too often you find a surgeon who is caring, technically brilliant and understands the biology and treatments of breast cancer,” Prof. Boyages said.

Prof. Ung also leaves a legacy of compassion, which was detailed in a speech by Danielle Napoli, one of his patients who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 years of age. Danielle shared how Prof. Ung, “able to leap breast cancer lumps in a single bound”, helped her on her breast cancer journey.

Prof. Ung was then presented with a framed poster, created by artist and breast cancer survivor Margaret Mapperson, depicting Prof. Ung as Superman, emblazoned with the title SuperOwen.

The Red Berets

The Red Beret band kindly volunteered their musical talents at the Breakfast and created a relaxing ambience with their jazzy repertoire. Red Beret is available for general functions—you can contact this talented foursome by e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 0406 022 015.

Other highlights of the Best Breast Breakfast included a display of Hope Posters by Nepean TAFE art students to raise breast cancer awareness; the winning artworks of the Life After Five Exhibition competition, which celebrates the five-year mark for breast cancer survivors; a $5,000 donation presentation by Myer Group representatives; a hilarious yet poignant song by comedienne and breast cancer survivor Jennifer Byrnes.

Jennifer Byrnes gets the crowd groovin and nodding in agreement