We’re proud to announce our latest charity partner as part of our Support in the Community initiative: Breast Friends and Family, a Bathgate-based charity offering vital support to those facing a breast cancer diagnosis.
Founded by Hazel Orr, with the support of her family, Breast Friends and Family was created out of personal experience. After Hazel’s diagnosis in 2015, she and her loved ones began fundraising for the organisations that had supported her. That passion soon evolved into a charity of its own — now run by a dedicated team of volunteers, many of whom have faced breast cancer themselves.
The charity provides care packages to patients undergoing treatment, filled with thoughtful items such as mastectomy bras, cooling towels, thermometers, scarves and creams — all designed to help make the journey through surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy a little more manageable. They also help fund eyebrow tattoos and offer complementary therapy sessions, recognising the importance of both physical and emotional wellbeing.
Their newly opened premises in Bathgate, The Heart, is a warm and welcoming space where patients can connect, recharge and support one another. It offers everything from mindfulness and yoga to gentle exercise and meditation sessions — all aimed at helping individuals cope with their diagnosis and treatment.
We’re delighted to be supporting Breast Friends and Family over the next three months. You’ll be able to meet the team and learn more about their work when they join us at The Centre on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June.
Hazel said:
“Being able to get out into the community to share what the charity provides is fantastic. It will allow us to make sure that more patients with a breast cancer diagnosis in West Lothian know about our new ‘home’ and the services we provide to help them through their journey.”
We’re honoured to be part of that journey.
