Hi Everyone
My name is Laura and I am currently completing my Public Relations 393 Professional Placement at the Breast Cancer Foundation Of Western Australia. (BCFWA)
The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA provides personalised support and care for those affected by breast cancer. Some of the services provided by the foundation include emotional support through the Breast Care Nurse, Counselling and a range of support groups. BCFWA also offers financial assistance which includes but is not limited to contributing to treatment costs, transport expenses, accommodation costs and childcare during treatment.
Whilst providing this personalised support for those affected by breast cancer, BCFWA also aims to educate women of all ages about the disease and encourage them to “be breast aware”.
My time so far at the foundation has been extremely beneficial towards my career development as I have been able to put the theory that I’ve learnt at university into practice. All of the staff at BCFWA are extremely helpful and friendly. I strongly believe that all employees want to be at work rather than have to be there, and they all believe in the cause which makes the work environment much more pleasant and easy to work in.
During my time so far I have completed a numerous amount of tasks varying from updating databases to arranging sponsorship for upcoming events. As staff are limited at BCFWA, I have had more of an opportunity to work independently on the variety of tasks.
So far the more enjoyable task which I have completed were assisting the staff in organising a Comedy night, which was held at the Comedy Lounge at the Charles Hotel. We had an all female line up with Claire Hooper (co-host on Channel 10’s Good News Week) as our leading act. On the night of the event I helped set up the venue and worked on the door. This was our first attempt at a comedy night, which resulted in a success so hopefully there will be more of these events in the near future.
At the moment I am working on the Purple Twilight Walk event which will be held on Saturday the 25th of October 2008 at Synergy parklands at Kings Park. This event invites participants to complete at 4km walk around the parklands. We have organised live entertainment from 1pm including a Capoeira show, Samba drumming, face painting and balloon twisting for the kids followed by the walk which will commence at 4pm. If any of you who read this blog are interested in participating please log onto the BCFWA website for more information.
http://www.breastcancer.org.au/events/purple-twilight-walk.aspx
Laura
3 comments:
Hi Laura,
It sounds like you are obtaining a great insight into the world of PR. It must have been daunting to start with knowing you would be working mostly independently from the other staff at the Breast Cancer Foundation. I am sure this has been a major advantage to you now as you will have more confidence leading into the work place as you know you can work by yourself.
You have been working on some large projects within the organisation. I am sure the comedy night was a massive success and the twilight walk will be too. These are both really interesting events and I am sure you have enjoyed working behind the scenes and seeing them form and come to life.
It must be rewarding working for an organisation such as the Breast Cancer Foundation. You must feel like you are giving back to the community and offering your support to those who need it most. I agree that your staff members would be there because they want to work for reasons behind the organisation and not just view it as a job.
Good luck with the rest of your placement and your degree.
Sarah
Your office must be buzzing right now with all this month's activities. I know at my casual job the official pink breast cancer merchandise and other pink promotional grocery products are flying out the door at the moment.
I think it's a great idea to have comedy event for a cause which is often associated with hardship and loss, as a way for people to think about Cancer in a more relaxed and positive manner.
And again I agree with others, that it is really important and motivating to be in a workplace where the staff really do believe in what the organisation is about and its activities.
Laura, this blog does not to the work you do at the BCF any justice! I know that I may be impartial in that i see you every time i am at uni, but to hear first hand of what you do and the events you help to coordinate sound amazing. I am also so happy that you enjoy your placement and have also embraced what you have learnt whilst working there. I’m so happy that you have developed your PR skills in an organisation that you believe in and that it is providing you will valuable PR and life skills
Good Luck with the upcoming event on Saturday
Gem x
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