WELL-KNOWN local basketball identity Andree Greenwood knows every second counts for women diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.

Her struggle with the incurable stage of the disease has inspired the creation of a breast cancer charity event with a difference.

The ‘Seconds Count’ Gala Ball will be held at Wrest Point on 18 April to raise much needed funds for research into secondary breast cancer – the stage of the disease where the cancer has spread from the breast into other parts of the body. Secondary breast cancer is currently incurable.

Unlike traditional ‘pink’ themed fundraisers, Seconds Count will specifically raise funds for secondary breast cancer.

Traditional ‘pink’ themed breast cancer fundraising activities tend to be directed at prevention of the disease, rather than treatment of secondary stage cancers, which in some cases can leave those diagnosed with secondary breast cancer feeling isolated and unsupported.

Andree, the mother of basketball stars Hugh and Josie, was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in May last year and is currently undergoing treatment for her condition.

She said it was important to live life to the full and make every moment matter.

“In my circumstances, a cure for breast cancer is a race against time. But what is also so important to me is that our precious generations to follow, our daughters, do not have to go through what I and thousands of other women are going through at this time,” Andree said in Hobart this week.
She has just returned from several months away with her husband Michael watching Hugh and Josie play basketball in the US. “Finding a cure is very real and very critical to me and I believe that, with vital research funding, a cure for secondary breast cancer is not too far away,” she said.

Andree urged the Hobart community to support the Seconds Count Gala Ball and this cause.

Event organiser Kim Upton, one of Andree’s former basketball team-mates, said there would inevitably be a serious side to the event, but its aim was to be uplifting and inspiring.

“We’ve received great support from the local and interstate community, with lots of businesses donating their goods, services, time and expertise to make it all happen,” she said. “Tickets include all drinks, a three course meal, plenty of entertainment and surprises on the night – including a guest interview panel and a fundraising auction with some fantastic prizes up for grabs, all in support of a very deserving cause.”

Funds raised through the Seconds Count Gala Ball will be used by the world-class University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research to examine the reason why cancer cells spread.

Teisha Archer, Institute Advancement Manager at the Menzies Institute, said that it was important to direct funding to this area.

“Funding will go straight to specific research projects to help find new treatment targets for metastatic cancers, including breast cancer,” Ms Archer said.

“There have been major advances in our treatment of breast cancer, with more than 80% of women now surviving 10 years following their diagnosis. However, there remains the 20% of women diagnosed with aggressive tumours that have spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. We need to find new ways to better treat these cancers.”

The event is generously sponsored by Tassal, Wrest Point, The Mercury and Boags.

Tickets are on sale from 15 January 2015 at www.tixtas.com.au or by calling 1300 795 257.
Nicole Tyson