QEII was looking positively bejewelled at the second annual Bling a Bra Competition on 31 October.
Inspired by everything from the roaring 20s to pink flamingos and butterfly gardens, 22 unique creations sprung to life at the Staff Dining Room in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Attendees were transported to a world of pure imagination with a pop of humour, while judges had their work cut out for them.
Congratulations to our 2024 prize winners (featured):
🥇 'Light up Butterfly' by Natalie Marshall, Ward 5A
🥈 'Hush Puppies' by BreastScreen Qld QEII
🥉 'Full Bloom' by BreastScreen Qld QEII
All profits raised from competition entries will go towards the purchase of post-surgical bras and head wraps for women undergoing breast cancer treatment at QEII.
QEII Clinical Nurse Consultant Surgical Services Anne Chiverall and McGrath Breast Care Nurse Michelle Hawksworth are behind the project.
Anne says the event is the perfect opportunity for QEII staff to raise awareness with friends and family in a fun and engaging way, while showing support for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.
“It takes a lot of care and a lot of support to care for breast cancer patients, and that’s reflected in the care and detail that’s gone into each one of these creations,” she said.
“Each one of these bras tells a story. People have come up with these creations over a wine and cheese night with their daughters, or over a tea party with their little ones. That has created a community where young girls who are coming up to womanhood are aware of checking their breasts and understand why early detection is so important.”
“The treatment pathway for breast cancer can be a very long and arduous and costly process,” added Michelle.
“This is about raising awareness about breast cancer, and the importance of getting your breasts checked regularly through breast imaging, but it’s also a way to fundraise and make our patients’ journey just a little bit easier,” she said.
Special mention goes to all the wonderful designers who took the time to share their creativity with the QEII community, and to our judges: Allan Cohen (Director Social Work); Anne Zielke (Research Navigator); Sally Courtice (Director Nutrition and Dietetics) and Susan Leahy (Medical Education Officer).