Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, Lyn went on to found Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), and is now that organisation’s CEO. In a cooperative venture with the Melbourne Football Club, Lyn played a primary role in creating the ‘Field of Women’ that took to the MCG before the Melbourne-Adelaide game in Round Seven, 2005. The ‘pink lady’, created by 11,500 women, raised awareness of breast cancer to unprecedented levels, and is now being adopted as a concept worldwide.
Such projects are an important part of what Lyn feels is most vital in the treatment of breast cancer - ‘offering emotional support to women and their families at such a challenging time in their lives.’ It is a mission that has seen Lyn lead the BCNA to becoming an organisation made up of 16,000 individuals and 160 Member Groups across Australia. In recognition of this, Lyn’s awards include:
• 2001 Victorian Telstra Business Woman of the Year in the Community
• Induction into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll in 2002
• The Centenary Federation Medal in 2003
• Equity Trustees’ Not-for-Profit CEO of the Year Award, 2004-2005
• A Tattersall’s Enterprise and Achievement Award in 2005
In 2000, Lyn was one of three Australians invited to sign the Charter of Paris Against Cancer at the Elysee. Named a finalist in the 2006 Australian of the Year Awards, Lyn’s continuing ambition is to ensure that those diagnosed with breast cancer are given ‘the best information, treatment, care and support.’ With that, all congratulate Lyn on her honours and achievements, and offer all best wishes for fulfilling BCNA’s mission in the future.
