How your donations help our service
BCI supports people with suspected or diagnosed breast cancer, as well as their carers and families, by providing comprehensive diagnostic services, multidisciplinary treatment, patient support, education, and research programs.
Any donations directly contribute to the acquisition of essential equipment and resources and help us host support programs for patients throughout their breast cancer journey.
Established in 2003 at Westmead Hospital, BCI’s original facility eventually became no longer fit for purpose due to advances in technology, digital workflows, and a significant increase in patient demand.
To address this, BCI underwent a major refurbishment in 2022. Our upgraded facility now includes:
- 13 consultation rooms, including a dedicated treatment room
- two mammography suites
- two ultrasound suites with comprehensive biopsy capability
- four radiology reading rooms
- a workflow-efficient clinical coordination area.
Our multidisciplinary team (MDT) conference room plays a critical role in patient care, enabling specialists to collaborate on treatment planning. In 2024, we upgraded the outdated audio-visual system in this space, significantly enhancing multidisciplinary communication and decision-making.
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Programs donations support
In 2022, the BCI Clinical Advisory Committee introduced a cost-sharing program to support patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer in accessing Perjeta® (pertuzumab), in
combination with Herceptin and standard chemotherapy.
This program is funded through BCI Trust funds (up to $100,000 per year) and is designed to support patients who are unable to afford this highly effective treatment.
Since its initiation in August 2022:
- 38 patients have been supported
- approximately $227,521 has been invested
- the average cost per patient is approximately $5,886.
This life-changing program is only possible due to the generosity of BCI supporters.
Donations have enabled us to invest in advanced surgical equipment, improving breast reconstruction and patient recovery.
BCI has invested in advanced surgical technology to enhance patient outcomes.
- In 2023, we purchased our first MicroAire Power-Assisted Lipoplasty (PAL) system for Mount Druitt Hospital ($70,644).
- In 2024, a second system was acquired for Westmead ($128,765).
Funded solely through generous donations, this innovative technology supports liposuction procedures used in breast reshaping as part of oncoplastic surgery, improving both functional and cosmetic outcomes for patients.
Generous donations to BCI have funded an additional Neoprobe for use in Westmead operating theatres, supporting the breast surgical service. This specialised equipment helps surgeons accurately identify sentinel lymph nodes and ensures dedicated availability of this essential equipment for our breast surgical service.
Providing ongoing support and accurate information to patients is a key priority at BCI.
The EMPOWER SMS program was launched in 2024. This initiative delivers regular health and wellbeing information directly to patients via SMS, supporting them throughout their cancer journey.
Patients can register through the BCI website to receive updates, resources, and supportive information.
This program costs BCI $5,000 per year to deliver the service to patients and is dependent on the generous support of donations.
The benefits of exercise for improved survival and wellbeing of breast cancer patients has been well established. At BCI, the Maple Tree exercise program is offered to all patients diagnosed with breast cancer, providing personalised exercise prescriptions tailored to each patient’s needs during treatment. Established in 2024, this program is ongoing and ensures all patients have access to a personalised, guided, exercise program as part of their care.
Delivery of this program costs $20,000 each year and is only possible through generous donations to BCI.
Make a donation
You can make a one-off or recurring donation to BCI for one of the programs mentioned above or towards other clinical programs or research.
Donate online
Go to our Give Now donation page.
We will email your tax-deductible receipt to you.
Donate using the donation form
- Download the BCI donation form (PDF 126.83KB)
- Complete the form
- Return the form by mail:
Westmead Breast Cancer Institute
PO Box 143
Westmead NSW 2145
We will mail your tax-deductible receipt to you.
Donate by phone
Call (02) 8890 8458 and provide your credit card details.