20 years on - the lasting impact of the Breast Care Breakfast

For 20 years, the Breast Care Breakfast has brought the Hunter community together in support of a shared cause, supporting our local breast care nurses to achieve better outcomes for those affected by breast cancer.

While many people recognise the event as one of the Hunter's most significant community fundraisers, its impact extends far beyond a single morning. Every year, funds raised through the Breakfast are reinvested back into the Hunter Breast Cancer Education Group, helping nurses access education, training, scholarships, workshops, and professional development opportunities that strengthen breast cancer care across our region. Over the past 20 years the Breakfast has raised over $450,000, and attracts over 500 attendees each year.

In a special Breast Cancer Awareness Month episode of The PKF Podcast, host Courtney Charleson sat down with two nurses who have experienced that impact firsthand. 

Desley Johnson, Clinical Nurse Consultant at BreastScreen NSW, and Laura Healey, Medical Oncology Nurse Practitioner at the Calvary Mater, Newcastle, joined the podcast to discuss their careers in breast cancer care, the importance of ongoing education, and how support from the Hunter Breast Cancer Education Group and in turn, the Breakfast, has helped them further their professional development.

Their stories offer a powerful reminder that when a community invests in nurse education, the benefits reach far beyond the individual receiving support.

Turning community support into better patient outcomes

Breast cancer care has changed significantly over the past two decades.

Advancements in screening technology, diagnostic tools, treatment options, and research have contributed to earlier detection and improved survival rates. Today, more Australians diagnosed with breast cancer are living longer (approximately 90%) and achieving better outcomes than ever before.

However, these advancements are only effective when healthcare professionals have access to the education and training needed to apply them.

Throughout the podcast conversation, both Desley and Laura reflected on the importance of continual learning in a field that is constantly evolving.

For Desley, funding from the Hunter Breast Cancer Education Group helped support postgraduate studies in breast cancer nursing after stepping into her role at BreastScreen NSW. The additional training strengthened her ability to support women navigating the screening, assessment, and diagnostic process.

Laura was also the recipient of education funding, which assisted her in undertaking postgraduate endocrinology studies via a university in the UK. The qualification expanded her knowledge of hormonal health and treatment-related side effects, allowing her to provide more comprehensive, specialised care to cancer patients throughout their treatment journey.

While their educational paths were different, the outcome was the same: greater expertise, increased confidence, and enhanced care for patients.

Supporting the people behind patient care

Nurses play a critical role at every stage of the breast cancer journey.
They provide education, advocacy, coordination, and emotional support for patients and families navigating what is often one of the most challenging periods of their lives. They help people understand their diagnosis, access services, manage treatment pathways, and connect with the support they need.

Importantly, no two patients are the same.

As Desley and Laura discussed on The PKF Podcast, delivering truly patient-centred care requires not only clinical knowledge but also strong communication skills, empathy, and the ability to adapt to individual circumstances.

This is why ongoing professional development is so important.
Education grants, workshops, and networking opportunities allow nurses to continually refine their skills, learn from colleagues, stay up to date with the latest developments in healthcare, and ultimately provide a higher standard of care to the communities they serve.

A lasting legacy of education

The impact of the Breast Care Breakfast can be measured in more than just funds raised.

Over the past 20 years, the event has helped create opportunities for nurses across the Hunter to access learning experiences that may otherwise have been out of reach. From scholarships and professional development programs to conferences and specialised training, these opportunities help the nurses continue learning throughout their careers.
That investment creates a ripple effect. When a nurse gains new knowledge, patients benefit. Healthcare teams benefit. Families benefit. Communities benefit.

The support provided through the Hunter Breast Cancer Education Group helps ensure local nurses are equipped with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to respond to new challenges, embrace evolving technologies, and continue delivering exceptional care.

Looking to the future

During their appearance on The PKF Podcast, both Desley and Laura spoke about their hopes for the future of breast cancer care.
While advancements in research, screening, and treatment continue to improve outcomes, they emphasised the importance of keeping patients at the centre of every decision. They also highlighted the need to continue investing in education, not only to support current healthcare professionals, but also to help develop the next generation of nurses working in breast cancer care.

As the Breast Care Breakfast celebrates its 20th anniversary, their stories serve as a powerful reminder of what's possible when a community comes together behind a common goal.
For two decades, the Breakfast has done more than raise funds. It has helped strengthen local healthcare, support professional growth, and improve the experiences of countless patients and families across the Hunter.

The impact may not always be visible, but it can be seen in every nurse supported, every opportunity created, and every patient who receives informed, compassionate care when they need it most.