Challenges, Community, Movement
25 September, 2024
Words by Em Armstrong & Han McGufflick
I want you to think about the women in your life. Friends, family, your boyfriend’s mum, the woman you pass in the supermarket, the friends of friends and the list goes on. I’m sure most of you know someone who has been impacted by Breast Cancer, with 1 in 7 women in their lifetime being diagnosed. Which is 58 people being diagnosed every day!
Our Saltbush community is mostly women, and as you all know, I love supporting women in the bush and beyond, on and off the mat (or reformer). I always want to connect our community, educate, and highlight important topics and events for our community, so it felt right to shine the light on Breast Cancer with several of our community members having had breast cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are partnering up with the McGrath Foundation to bring awareness to us as women, about the importance of checking yourself, getting checked and supporting each other throughout their journey. Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate, it can happen to anyone at any time, so advocating for yourself even if you “might be too young to get breast cancer”, we want all women to feel heard and have a voice in their health journeys.
McGrath Foundation
We have all heard of the McGrath Foundation. A charity that has grown from a well-known
Australian cricketing families journey with breast cancer and the support of a breast care nurse, who both empowered and comforted Jane McGrath, and her family. This experience set the mission for the Foundation, which has become a commitment, to ensure every family experiencing breast cancer has the support of a Breast Care Nurse, no matter where they live – for free.
The McGrath Foundation now supports almost 250 care nurses who can be that beacon of support for individuals and families going through their journey. These nurses are all over Australia, including regional and remote areas (this is why we love them a little more).
We have set up a fundraiser with McGrath to raise money for all the wonderful women that have been through this journey, and the ones that are sadly about to start.
Together, as the little Saltbush family that we are, we are going to help these families in need and shine awareness on this important cancer. Think about your close group of girlfriends, 1-7 of you will unfortunately have breast cancer at some stage.
We will have a link that you can donate directly to the McGrath Foundation – so if you can donate I’d be forever grateful. I also encourage you to share our social media posts, again it might spark conversation around this important cancer.
The Challenge:
We are excited to announce our “Boobs + Besties” Challenge over in The Saltbush Squad aiming to encourage movement but also encourage you and your besties to have the conversation about your boobs and “do you check them”. And hope that one conversation might spark a positive proactive approach to being on the front foot of breast cancer.
The Challenge will go for two weeks starting on Monday 7th October to Sunday 20th October.
What will the Challenge look like?
Now, this challenge is pretty short and sweet (we can all do two weeks), so we really want you to show up and feel good from the inside out! It’s all about making yourself feel good, a good excuse to chat with your bestie, check in on your health and support a great cause.
The Podcast – Saltbush Babes:
We have two brave Saltbush community members who are going to share their breast cancer journey. One woman in her 50’s and another woman in her early 30’s. The conversations are raw and confronting but also so important for us to all listen to, to hopefully be proactive with our own breast journey or help spark positive conversation around getting checked.
Podcast Episodes – Themed around Breast Cancer Awareness:
Season 1 – Bonus Ep: 7 – Tuesday 1st October (Sandra Ireson)
Season 1 – Bonus Ep: 8 – Tuesday 8th October (Lucy Yaffa)
The Saltbush Studio Event – Talk about your Boobs + Art Exhibition
On Friday 4th October we are hosting an event all about the importance of getting together, checking your boobs and women supporting women.
Come join us for a beautiful evening celebrating art, friendship, and connection at Saltbush Stretch Studio! Our newest feature artist, Sophie Le Couteur’s unique artwork featuring empowering women’s bodies in yoga poses will be on display. Grab your bestie, dress in your favourite PINK outfit and join us.
We have a local guest speaker – Sandra Ireson, sharing her breast cancer journey, spreading awareness and sharing love. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support our new artist and embrace the beauty of all bodies all while supporting Breast Cancer Awareness.
Tickets are $20 and ALL proceeds will be going straight to the McGrath Foundation.
Drinks + Nibbles will be supplied.
Are You Ready?
Go on, text your bestie. Get her involved. If she isn’t already a part of the Saltbush Squad, it’s time for her to join the family. Let’s have fun with this.
This is a little reminder to you to make regular breast self-exams a part of your ‘self care’ routine, when you start this, you’re taking an important step in caring for your body and staying proactive about your health. And while you’re at it, remind your besties to do the same! I can’t wait to have you a part of this challenge and this month of awareness.
And as the queen Shaina once said ‘Let’s go Girls’ 🤠
Big love. Em xx
"*" indicates required fields
Copyright © 2025 Saltbush Stretch
