Working for women … Claire Culley has brought hope to many breast cancer patients. 66164 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Natalie Gallenti
NOT many people can say they have changed the lives of women in Brimbank, but Claire Culley can.
Although she may be too humble to admit it, Ms Culley’s work for Western Health and in particular BreastWest, has markedly improved the journey of countless breast cancer sufferers.
And it is an issue close to her heart.
Ms Culley, the divisional director of surgical services at Western Health, is a breast cancer survivor. Twelve years ago she was given only two years to live. She knows all too well of the physical and emotional toll this debilitating disease can take on its victims.
So when she arrived at Western Health in 2004, Ms Culley was shocked that many women diagnosed with breast cancer in Melbourne’s West were going without treatment due to their financial and social circumstances.
In 2007 she established the BreastWest Committee and since then women, especially those from minority groups and impoverished backgrounds, have received and been informed on the appropriate treatment for the devastating illness.
“When I came to Western Health, I was horrified at the stories I heard,” she recalled.
“Some women were not having treatment because they couldn’t afford child care while they were gone.
“I heard many heart rending stories.
“It seemed amazing to me that in this day and age, social and economic factors were causing them to make certain decisions about their treatment.”
The motivated and selfless mother set herself the task of making life easier for these women.
Four years on and the not-for-profit organisation is going strong. Ms Culley said the money raised not only took care of the bigger picture, but also seemingly simple things like taxi vouchers, wigs and appropriate undergarments.
“It’s the simple things that make an incredible difference.
“If you can’t afford the right bra to put your prosthesis in or child care for your children when you are having treatment, life can become hard.
“It’s been an unbelievable feeling seeing it grow.
“I’m truly proud of it every single day.”
And while Ms Culley is solely focused on improving the lives of these women, she said she reaps the rewards also.
“I think part of healing is to give back. It brings good karma.
“I want to be associated with it forever – but it’s not about me.
“The organisation is completely self-sustaining and there has been a great response from the community.”
Claire Culley is the subject of this week’s Pride in Brimbank, a series Star launched to reveal the people in our community that are making a difference. If you know someone that fits the bill call Star on 9933 4814.
