Breast Cancer Care Afternoon Tea case studies

Jodie Burdett, Billericay

Jodie was diagnosed in May 2015 aged 32. Recently married and having just enjoyed her honeymoon, Jodie felt a lump. She was told it was probably a cyst as she was young, fit and healthy. But after a biopsy, she received the devastating “you have breast cancer” news. Jodie decided to get as much information as possible and found Breast Cancer Care who were her lifeline. Her husband also used the invaluable helpline for support. 

Jodie decided, through her treatment, she wanted to give something back – not just to her friends and family – but to Breast Cancer Care who had supported her. So she held a Strawberry Tea just a week before she started chemotherapy. The event was a huge success and she raised almost £10,000.

Jodie has since been a model in the Breast Cancer Care Show and given a speech at the Carols by Candlelight event.

Wendy Smith, Peterborough

Wendy held her first ever Strawberry Tea Party on July 21st 2016. The sun shone and she says it was a fabulous day from start to finish. Wendy says she knows many ladies who have gone through breast cancer and one of her friends was diagnosed with it a few months before. Wendy asked her friend if Breast Cancer Care helped her and with a very positive “Yes” reply, Wendy’s mind was made up.

She made the day complete by being there, helping and she even let Wendy borrow her China Tea set which was the talk of the day! The feeling after the event made it all worthwhile as she also got to meet quite a few ladies who had gone through their journey with breast cancer and made new friends too. Raised £1,127

Kathy Anders, Rugby

Kathy held her first Strawberry Tea in August 2014 after finishing radiotherapy. Raising money for the charity helped her to focus on getting well again.

Kathy says she found the Breast Cancer Care forum online during those “dark days” following her surgery in 2014 and it became her lifeline. She says “women like me could offer each other support and reassurance which was a beacon of light in a sea of darkness.”

She’s since held more afternoon teas and last year raised £1,200.

Angela Ruggles, Suffolk

Angela held a Strawberry Tea in 2015 as her sister-in-law had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and she wanted to support a worthy charity. She raised £850 with an afternoon tea for friends and family, they had also had a raffle, wine or water stall and the game ‘how many sweets in a jar’ was a huge success. 

Everybody enjoyed the afternoon. It was just a perfect opportunity to have a house full of friends, old and new. 

Jane Kerindi, Milton Keynes
Jane held a Strawberry tea in July 2015 and raised £266. She decided to hold the Tea after receiving a second diagnosis of breast cancer and undergoing a mastectomy. She was first diagnosed 11 years ago. Following her first diagnosis, Jane climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2011 and her and her team raised £125,000 for Breast Cancer Care.