Local resident Fiona Smith is hosting a garden party fundraiser at Kiama Surf Lifesaving Club on Saturday 11 October from 10am to 1pm, with all proceeds supporting Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Action Australia.

The morning tea event will host a variety of activities including raffles, vintage clothes, handmade crafts, plants, and plenty of food and treats. The relaxed event promises something for everyone all while supporting a cause important to Fiona.

Fiona knows firsthand why this cause matters, after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and thinking she was through the hardest part, after six years, her cancer had returned and spread, becoming metastatic. Fiona says that MBC is treatable but not curable and with more people living with MBC, there needs to be more support and funding.

“By having this event I want to get it out to the local community because I'm sure there will be people living with metastatic breast cancer but I don't know them because there's no support group here,” she said.

“Raising awareness helps you realise, okay, it's not a great diagnosis, but I can still live a fuller life, however long that is, and there are people that will support me in that.”

Metastatic breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads from the breast to other parts of the body, affecting an estimated 24,000 Australians. MBC Action Australia, launched in October 2024 and is the country's first advocacy organisation specifically for people living with MBC, filling a crucial gap in support services for this disease.

The garden party aims to raise both funds and awareness in the local community, as Fiona is passionate about ensuring regional patients have access to the same level of support that people do in major cities.

Fiona encourages anyone to attend the event, from people living with MBC, partners, carers, family and friends, to have a cup of tea, have a chat, or maybe raise their own awareness.

More information about MBC Action Australia can be found at www.mbcaction.org.au.