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About

Mission

To work collaboratively with individuals and other community organisations to provide appropriate services that emotionally, physically, and financially support those members in our community with a cancer diagnosis and their families to enhance their wellbeing throughout their cancer journey.

History

Suzy Watson, Chris Thomas and Jenny Black
Founding and Life Members of Brave Hearts on the Murray Inc.

In 2003, Chris Thomas (a much loved volunteer at the Murray Valley Chemotherapy Unit at the time), watched the uplifting movie 'Calendar Girls' and immediately believed that Albury Wodonga could produce its own calendar and in the process raise money to provide extra services and resources for cancer patients in our local region.

She invited a talented professional photographer – Suzy Watson and then Regional Breast Cancer Nurse, Jenny Black, to come on board and live her dream.

In 2004, the beautiful calendar project – "Brave Hearts - Faces of Love, Courage and Support", featuring locals who had been diagnosed with cancer as the monthly 'stars', was then created. The overwhelming success of this calendar saw the birth of Brave Hearts on the Murray Inc and the beginning of a rewarding journey that has witnessed many special projects aimed to support and provide assistance to the health and wellbeing of individuals and their families affected by a cancer diagnosis in the Albury Wodonga region. 

Since that time Brave Hearts on the Murray has been involved in many projects, Including:

  • Establishment of a successful Dragon Boat club which caters for community members of all ages and especially includes those who have had a cancer diagnosis and their families and friends.  Exercise has been proven to be a beneficial part of cancer treatment and Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Club offers a supportive environment for those wanting to learn the sport that we love so much.
  • Establishment of a Wig Library in the Wellness Centre at the Albury Wodonga Cancer Centre which offers an extensive range of modern, fashionable wigs that are available for hire for a refundable fee.
  • Our Celebration Garden was proudly gifted to the community in 2010, this beautiful tribute rose garden surrounds a bronze sculpture in Belvoir Park Wodonga and offers a special place of reflection to commemorate and celebrate those touched by cancer.
  • Our Book – "What Cancer Taught Me" is full of inspirational stories that have been shared by local participants. These invaluable life enriched lessons were mirrored with beautiful photography by Suzy Watson; and the book is given to people in our region who are newly diagnosed with cancer, with the aim of infusing some positivity to their situation and show them that they are not alone.
  • Pamper Days - thanks to the wonderful generous support from local businesses, we are privileged to be able to provide a number of 'pamper' days each year for people needing continued and extended cancer treatments. It is so special to be able to offer these participants some very deserved pampering and a much-needed time away from medical facilities and ongoing treatments.
  • Annual donations to the Albury Wodonga Cancer Foundation Financial Assistance Program and the Border Medical Oncology Research Fund. 

Supporters