As the National Breast Cancer Foundation marks its 30th anniversary – with David Jones as a founding partner – we chat to ambassador Vanessa Chappelow about perspective, positivity and the power of family.
Support the National Breast Cancer Foundation and help to fund world-class breast cancer research towards our vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer.
Unconditional Love with Vanessa Chappelow, NBCF Ambassador
If you had asked Vanessa Chappelow a year ago, she would never have imagined she’d feature in a Mother’s Day campaign for David Jones. In fact, a year ago, life looked very different in general. In February 2023, Chappelow finished up treatment for breast cancer – a disease that had caught the mother of two completely by surprise.
“I was at a parent-teacher night when [my daughter] Lara started high school, and I bumped into an old friend who said she’d had breast cancer,” she recalls. “The next day, I noticed something in the mirror, and it was only because I had seen her that I thought, ‘Could that be?’ And it was.”
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), more than 20,000 Australians will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Around 80 per cent of these cases occur in women over 50, which is another reason why Chappelow’s diagnosis was such a surprise. “I was 45 and had no family history, so it was a total shock,” remembers Chappelow. “I always thought 50 and over was when you have a mammogram unless you had a family history, so it scares me to think I probably wouldn’t have gone for a mammogram or an ultrasound or maybe not even noticed,” she continues. “I feel like someone was watching over me, that I found it early – it’s changed my perspective on life.”
Today, Chappelow is an ambassador for the NBCF, spreading awareness to help raise funds for the organisation’s world-class research and supporting others where possible. “I’m very optimistic and so grateful,” she says. “I know I’m okay, and if I can help someone who’s going through it, it makes me feel good that I’m helping.” Chappelow brings her daughters, Lara, 14, and Erika, 16, as well as her mother Tuula along on her new journey as an NBCF ambassador whenever possible – including this Mother’s Day campaign for David Jones.
“I want to show my daughters that you can overcome challenges,” she says. “I hope I show them strength and resilience, and that you can move forward with a smile.”
Vanessa Chappelow, NBCF Ambassador
Alongside Chappelow’s optimism comes an appreciation for the small things. “It’s just about enjoying every moment, even the things that aren’t big and special,” she says. “All their events, family holidays; I just look forward to many more years, watching them grow into beautiful young ladies.”
Asked what she’s most looking forward to experiencing with her mum in the future, Erika says: “A big one is when I have kids. This is far away, obviously, but it’ll be nice to see her with grandkids and a big family.” Lara adds: “I’m looking forward to her being there to support me when I graduate high school, get a job and get married – I’m excited.”
How Far We’ve Come
In the 30 years since the NBCF was established, death rates from breast cancer have drastically improved. CEO Cleola Anderiesz looks with hope towards the future.
Cleola Anderiesz, CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation
“The National Breast Cancer Foundation has a rich legacy of funding world-class breast cancer research in Australia – funding that has helped drive significant changes in clinical care and outcomes as well as support the best and brightest researchers in Australia, helping to grow and retain exceptional talent and enabling research to thrive in this country.
In the past 30 years, the mortality rate from breast cancer in Australia has reduced by more than 40 per cent, and each research discovery is another step in our path to possible – a future of Zero Deaths from breast cancer.
“As part of our most recent funding investment, NBCF has provided more than $12 million to support 16 new breast cancer research projects.”
Cleola Anderiesz, CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation
These include new personalised treatments for triple-negative breast cancer, the effect of a range of different treatments on the immune system in metastatic sites such as bones and new hormonal treatments to prevent metastatic breast cancer.
As well as marking our 30th anniversary in 2024, we will commence the implementation of the NBCF’s new Pink Horizon Research Strategy, which will see up to $125 million invested over the next five years into research that will help us better understand how to detect, prevent, stop and treat breast cancer.
Since the foundation was formed in 1994, David Jones has been supporting the NBCF and helping to fund world-class breast cancer research. I’m incredibly proud of the longevity of the NBCF’s partnership with David Jones – it is one of the longest-standing and most extensive partnerships of its kind in Australia, and receiving consistent support from David Jones has been instrumental in supporting research to progress towards our vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer.
A Note From Scott Fyfe, CEO Of David Jones
With a community, team and customer network that is predominately female, breast cancer is an issue close to many of us at David Jones. We’re a proud founding partner of the NBCF, and for the past 30 years, David Jones has been consistent in its support for life-changing breast cancer research. Breast cancer has touched us all at some point in our lives and having personally had friends impacted by breast cancer, I’m committed to supporting the mission of Zero Deaths from breast cancer. As a husband and a father of two daughters, I especially enjoy celebrating Mother’s Day as an opportunity to honour and support those impacted by breast cancer.
David Jones has raised more than $6.5 million to help fight breast cancer through a range of fundraising initiatives held at important times, including International Women’s Day, Mother’s Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October each year. Sales of merchandise and specialty clothing including intimates – and dedicated shopping events such as Pink Ribbon Breakfasts and high tea celebrations – have all contributed to these fundraising efforts and have been widely supported by David Tones customers.
The Rose Clinic
As part of its commitment to the health and well-being of Australian women, David Jones has partnered with BreastScreen Australia to establish the Rose Clinic, a free instore health screening service for women over 40 to assist with the early detection of breast cancer.
The Rose Clinic is available across multiple David Jones stores across Australia and utilises state-of-the-art digital mammography technology to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for all who visit.
Find out more: Rose Clinic: Free Women’s Health Screening Australia
Help us strive towards NBCF’s goal of Zero Deaths from breast cancer by donating today. Your support will fund valuable NBCF research and improve outcomes for people impacted by the disease now and in the future.
Did you know that many of our stores offer prosthesis fittings for women who have undergone a mastectomy or partial mastectomy? This service is held within a private, safe environment with trained fitters as part of our commitment to providing holistic support for women who have experienced breast cancer. To find out more about this service, search for your closest David Jones store.