New Zealand woman Louise Perkins was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 27.

She touched many people with her incredible will to live the best life she could, for as long as she could and she succeeded beyond all expectations.

Louise received excellent medical care and treatment but knew that while this was necessary it was not enough. She filled her life with reasons to live, tending her mind, body and spirit and discovered a myriad of ways that helped her deal with the day to day experiences of breast cancer.

The Louise Perkins Foundation was established in 2005 with a single-minded focus on quality of life and, through Sweet Louise, aims to empower New Zealand women and men living with secondary breast cancer to improve their well-being and lead more positive lives. Sweet Louise has, to date, helped over 750 women and men and their families.

Sweet Louise offers something special …
2,600 New Zealanders are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. 15% will be told that their primary cancer has advanced to the secondary, incurable stage. Only Sweet Louise provides support directly to patients living with secondary breast cancer, offering information and advice through its toll free number, printed material and website (www.sweetlouise.co.nz) and Membership opportunities to all women and men with secondary breast cancer. Members living within the Northland, Auckland, Mid Central and Wellington areas can receive free voucher-based support services and attend monthly Member Meetings. Members outside these service areas can enjoy participation in online Forums and Journals and receive support through our 0800 number.

Our services provide practical assistance, support and fellowship
Sweet Louise Members receive free annual allocations of vouchers which can be redeemed for a wide range of commercial services available within the community. Members may select something they feel would most benefit their individual well-being and arrange for this service to be provided at their convenience. Services include home help and cleaning, baking, counselling, exercise programmes and therapies (reiki, reflexology) and ‘treats’ such as massage and aromatherapy. Our Support Coordinators assist with access to Sweet Louise services, advise patients about other services available to them and provide ‘someone to talk to’ about issues relating to their quality of life. Monthly Member Meetings offer opportunities for sharing experiences and enjoying fellowship.

‘Sweet Louise is a wonderful organisation. It takes away the loneliness of the situation.’
(A Sweet Louise Member)
While the day to day challenges of our Members are not outwardly obvious they can often feel isolated. Sweet Louise fills a real gap in their lives by offering practical support and the companionship of others sharing similar experiences. Heartened by both the feedback from our Members and the growing body of research indicating the benefits of an improved quality of life for cancer patients, we now hold an even greater belief that Sweet Louise can help those with breast cancer lead more positive lives.