The New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr John Carter and Mrs Leoni Carter, were farewelled in July 2013. John was instrumental in procuring “pre-loved bras” donated from Curves Gym in Kerikeri, Northland. These bras were distributed to the women of the Northern Group islands.

The Foundation sponsored 27 women from three islands for the screening programme from July 29 to August 9, 2013. This programme has always been free for Cook Islanders and Permanent Residents. However, many contract workers were happy to pay the minimal fee of NZ$50 to ensure they were breast healthy.

A “Pink Gala and Auction Nite” held in October 2013 at Ngatipa, the NZHC residence, with Ms Joanna Kempers and husband Tim greeting guests as a pink boa was given to each guest. Air New Zealand was the major contributor offering a two-hour training session on their new Boeing 787-9 simulator with Air NZ chief pilot captain David Morgan. The response from the business sector was enormous and included airline tickets to NZ and Aitutaki; accommodation and restaurant vouchers; spa treatments; local artwork; with tennis balls autographed by the tennis great Andre Agassi. Gus Meyer, the auctioneer, kept the audience excited through the night. A unique pink pearl ring was donated by Bergman and Sons as the door prize.

After six years at the helm, Dawn Baudinet stood down and Jaewynn McKay was elected president at the AGM, November 2013.

Taamo Heather and Patricia Tuara Demmke of the Ministry of Internal Affairs proudly hold up the ‘wonder bra’ they have entered in for the Knickers in Twist Bra Competition.14102227

The mammography programme was well established with the Foundation financially assisting 14 women from the Pa Enua during the July/August programme 2014. This was the fifth visit conducted by the New South Wales team. Over 360 women took part with two referred to New Zealand for further assessment. 500 were booked, unfortunately 133 did not attend their appointment, which was disappointing as other women could have been seen. A lot of time goes into contacting women in Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, with Mrs C organising appointments. It is very interesting to note, the NSW team who use their two-week annual leave to come here for the screening, in essence they are volunteers.

Team leader, Dr Fran Jones was guest speaker at a Breast Cancer Information Evening hosted by the Foundation and MOH, could not be better timed. Her words of wisdom, sharing the importance of a screen, why you should have one, early detection and what to look for when doing your BSE.  

Over the years the business community have continued their support with new initiatives from Yoga classes, Zumba Fat Burner with “Funky Frankie” from HSBC an Ice Challenge popped on to the Foundations Facebook page and YouTube. A TEXT PINK CI to make a $3 donation with Telecom (now Vodafone) to name a few.

In February 2015, Sonya and Richard Marsh of Curves Gym, Kerikeri, Northland, once again donated 200 pre-loved bras they brought with them while on holiday. These were distributed between the Southern Group and Rarotonga.

2015 saw the Cook Islands celebrating 50 years of self-government.

CIBCF was honoured to be nominated as one of the best developed organisations from 2005–2014.

The July 2015 programme was considered a successful outcome when only one woman was referred to New Zealand for further assessment out of the 381 screened. During this period, CITC donated a water cooler to MOH with Vaima Water sponsoring the maintenance.

Local artists, Kay George and Edna Allen were selected from a range of artists who designed a new logo for the Foundation to include the 50^th anniversary celebrations. These printed t-shirts were extremely popular with both locals and tourists.

A very special guest attended a glitzy fundraiser for the Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation. Sylvana Puia (left) and Pepe Kamana Doherty (right) with Dame Margaret Karika. 15110214

On October 1, 2015, Anne Thorp, ambassador for New Zealand Breast Cancer, was guest speaker at a Pink Breakfast held at Café Salsa. This event was a huge success with many attending dressed in glorious pink.

Dawn Baudinet addressed the staff of ANZ bank outlining the history of the organisation, with a Q&A session being very beneficial to everyone on attendance.

For the first time a “Pink Tea Party” was organised by Rangi Mitaera-Johnson in Tukao, Manihiki, with the island women coming together to support “Pinktober” as it was now termed. The Foundation was very proud to contribute resources towards this initiative, with the feedback very positive.

The Foundation held a “Muumuu Nite” function in October 2015 with Sonya Kamana and Jaewynn McKay, who collated a wonderful collection of heritage Muumuu’s, not only using their own personal muumuu’s but from lenders which were modelled and displayed at Ngatipa, NZHC Residence.

As the Foundation had their own Facebook Page, with YouTube and the Raro community page, it was decided to cancel the existing website.

In the 2016 July programme, 150 first time women were screened, a total of 426. This significant increase in the number of women taking part was the highest number to date.

The team did their last reading just after 8pm with over 50 screened on that day alone.

Dr Fran was convinced the four women being referred to NZ appear to have been caught early enough that whatever surgery they might go through would be minor.

Another reminder to have a mammo check which can save your life.

With other businesses putting their hand up in support of the Foundation during October, it was another busy and successful month.

In 2017, the Foundation worked in conjunction with Hospital Comforts Committee supplying sunglasses with CIBCF printed logo for patients who had recently had eye surgery.

A total of 378 women attended the July screening programme including eight from the Pa Enua assisted by the Foundation.

Glen Stewart, then ANZ Bank country manager, further supported the Foundation in promoting awareness, by placing a pink cover slip at their ATM machines, which enhanced their commitment to supporting breast cancer awareness in the Pacific.

Mrs Tohoa Cummings was guest speaker at the AGM held at Café Salsa on August 22, 2017. Tohoa spoke eloquently on how successful the long-standing partnership between Ministry of Health and the Foundation is. She said a strong bond was forming with women screened and the NSW Team. This would be Dr Frans 10^th visit.

Dawn Baudinet was elected back as president at the May 2018 AGM. 

The Foundation continued a strong advertising campaign in both CI News and on CITV with the very popular “Love, Hope and Faith” DVD.

The July programme from 16 – 27 screened women who arrived from both Northern and Southern islands to celebrate Te Maeva Nui. Over four days, 83 women staying at the hostels were transported by bus to the hospital for their mammogram screening. Total 404, 151 from the Pa Enua, 25 sponsored from by the Foundation and Air Rarotonga, who have been incredibly helpful over the years, especially Sarah Mooreland, with airfares, putting on an extra flight and being very patient with name changes, happening frequently during this programme. Six were referred to NZ.

Dr Paul Cardew brought two high-resolution digital reading monitors, the NSW Team donated to MOH, which would replace x-ray films and a huge financial saving to MOH. The breast physicist would be able to read these much easier and faster, but required a CD Reader. This CD Reader was donated with the help of the president of Rarotonga Rotary Club, Jaewynn McKay, and funding by Bega Valley Radiology, Rotary Club of Nunawading, Victoria, Rotary District 9810 of Australia, and the help of the tech team from Blenheim, NZ to connect this machine to the monitors. With a lot of support from across NZ and Australia, we now have a better equipped mammo machine for the 2019 screening programme and hopefully no more x-ray film will be required.