Breast Friends Photo Gallery
Breast Friends always have a lot of fun at the Great Midlands Fun Run in May/June. each year.  We're also delighted that our supporters have raised hugely significant amounts for us through this event.  Thank you all.

Jackie Benzecry - Royal Sutton Coldfield Volunteer of the Year, 2019
Breast Friends is proud that our Chair, Jackie Benzecry, was chosen by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council as their 2019 Volunteer of the Year.  

Their official tribute reads: "In 1995 Jackie ... bravely began her battle against Grade 3 breast cancer which entailed a tough year of surgery and intensive treatment. It was through this difficult and courageous journey that a nurse at Good Hope Hospital asked Jackie if she would help to set up a support group. From there, she and fellow survivor Yvonne Hawkins decided to go one step further and in 1996 they set up the Breast Friends charity which provides emotional and practical support for other women with breast cancer.
Over the last 23 years, ‘inspirational’ Jackie has shown true dedication, commitment, tenacity and tireless energy, raising an incredible £1.6million along the way to fund home help, laundry services, gardening, child care, wheelchairs, riser-recliners, stairlifts and small grants for those in need.
Jackie's typlically selfless response was "The reason I can do what I do is because of the support around me. All of the ladies in Breast Friends have such a very special bond, because everyone is coming from the same direction and we’re all breast cancer survivors ... I’m not sorry for the way my life went, I have got so much out of it since. Being touched by cancer changes your whole perspective and that’s not always a bad thing. I’d like to particularly thank our Vice Chair Gill Harris, the late Sue Mills, who we all miss greatly, and my husband John for his support over the last two decades."

Jackie's award also resulted in an invitation to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.  After several delays due to COVID, Jackie and fellow committee members enjoyed a fantastic day in May 2022.
We also scrub up well and fashion shows, showing that our members make beautiful models, have been great successes
Our much loved and much missed committee member and publicity officer, Sue Mills, who lost her long battle with breast cancer on 21st August 2018.

To the end Sue was very much involved with Breast Friends , raising money taking photos, giving updates on Facebook, all to promote the charity.

With her medical background she was always there to give advice to other Cancer patients- a great number of ladies have cause to thank Sue for her help and support. She was a kind gentle person who was very family orientated and the members of Breast Friends were her extended family.