Breast cancer campaigner Helena McAlpine dies, age 37
Staff and friends of the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation are tonight mourning the loss of Helena McAlpine, who campaigned
through her own long and often gruelling battle with breast cancer to help save other women.
From when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2009, aged 31, Helena was committed to sharing her story
publicly. Herbroadcasting skills, plus her remarkable ability to connect with audiences and tell her story with
self-deprecating humour, made her a unique voice against breast cancer.
For six years, Helena gave her time and talents to help save Kiwi women. Her mission, she said, was: “Before I die, I
want to get a message to every woman in the country that they need to look after themselves and their friends and
family.” It was very rewarding for her when she learned of women whose breast cancer was diagnosed after they heard
Helena’s story and checked their own breasts.
She had a particular concern for reaching younger women like herself, too young for mammograms but needing to know the
importance of being breast aware.
In 2012, Helena was rediagnosed with breast cancer – now in her liver, and incurable. The treatments to manage her
symptoms and prolong her life were punishing. Yet Helena always responded to NZBCF requests for help. She shared her
story through numerous magazine features, at speaking engagements, on national television through documentaries and in
current affairs. She featured in two national TV awareness campaigns for the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation, and in
educational DVDs, voiced radio ads and lent her face to education posters and fundraising appeals.
For October 2012 (Breast Cancer Month) – Helena initiated the concept of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation’s Our
Women appeal and became its face and voice. She used her considerable networks in the music field to gain the support of
some of New Zealand’s best musicians, including her close friend Hollie Smith, who gave their time to the ‘Our Women’
music video and advertising campaign for breast cancer awareness. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMO2ls3c6yE
“When Helena decided on something, she was unstoppable,” said Evangelia Henderson, chief executive at the NZBCF. “We
learned to probe her ‘I’m fine’ – she had such a keen sense of responsibility to other women, she’d ignore her illness
and arrive at an event in obvious pain. She was determined to use her remaining time to help others, and she rose to
every occasion with strength, grace and generosity. We will miss her so much.”
In addition to her awareness-raising work, Helena made a huge contribution to the NZBCF’s fundraising efforts.
She fronted a volunteer recruitment campaign for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal which attracted 7,500 volunteer
collectors. Helena was the face of the appeal for three years, helping to raise over $2.2 million for breast cancer
support, research and education programmes. She will contribute again this year, having once again generously allowed
the NZBCF to use her image in its call for volunteers for the 2015 Pink Ribbon Appeal.
Despite illness-enforced unemployment, Helena never requested payment for her services; her motivation was purely to
save other women, to spare their families the pain and loss she knew her own family would eventually suffer. A
Givealittle page has been established to contribute to her funeral costs and help provide for her daughter Shannon. www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/Helena
Helena McAlpine’s warmth, openness and willingness to share the story of her life with breast cancer was appreciated by
women of all ages. Most recently, she inspired people with her optimism and her commitment to living life to the
fullest. The NZ Breast Cancer Foundation is so grateful for the life of Helena McAlpine and so sad to have lost her.
ENDS