Proud to support the fight against breast cancer

Ladies…. Fighting breast cancer

Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer (LFBC) was established in 2000 by Veronica Kumeta and the late Sue Macmaster, after their friend Carol Knaggs was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

Carol sadly lost her battle with cancer, as did Sue when she was later diagnosed with the disease. But their legacy lives on through the outreach, fundraising and community care provided by LFBC. The charity that was set up to support Carol and Sue, has now supported thousands of women in their loving memory, for more than two decades.

support@lfbc.org.uk

A brief history

Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer incorporated as a registered charity

More than £500,000 raised to purchase leading-edge equipment including Cooling Cap to prevent hair loss, Tattooing Equipment, Faxitron Machine which accesses Biopsies, Chemotherapy Chairs, specialist Head Lamps and doctors’ Scrubs, Prone Biopsy Machine, Mastectomy Bras and Prothetics Campaign.

£75,000 raised towards a Mobile Mammogram, installed in Quinton, Birmingham

Launch of Real Wigs and EyeBrow Tattooing support initiatives; funds also raised to provide bursaries to cover travel costs for breast cancer patients hospital and GP appointments.

£150,000 raised to purchase a Mammotone Machine, rapidly increasing diagnostic and biopsy speeds

LFBC first bi-annual Fashion Show at the Motor Cycle Museum, raising more than £55,000

LFBC dress Birmingham’s The River Statue (or as locals call her the ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’) with a pink bra for the first time!

More than £250,000 raised to purchase leading-edge equipment including Lymph Node Gamma Probe, Tattooing Equipment and Chemotherapy Chairs.

Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham accepts request for Patronage of Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer

Veronica Kumeta presented with the Points of Light Award for charity sector contribution by Prime Minister David Cameron.

£125,000 raised towards the UK’s first ever PINK Mobile Mammogram, installed in Katy Road, Selly Oak in Edgbaston.

LFBC launches first support groups – Lisa’s Gathering and Well Woman choir.

LFBC Well Woman choir performs at Britain’s Got Talent at the London Palladium, with Got To Sing at Birmingham Town and Symphony Hall and as part of a flash mob at Birmingham New Street station. Founder Veronica Kumeta invited to meet HRH Queen Elizabeth II at the National Council of Voluntary Organisations’ Centenary celebrations.

LFBC launches its innovative Hugs-In-A-Bag initiative, providing practical and thoughtful items to women and men receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments for breast cancer via several hospitals, including the QE, across the West Midlands.

COO Veronica Kumeta awarded a regional Pride of Britain Award and Woman Who award for Charity Fundraiser of the Year. Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer was also awarded a Diamond Safety in Beauty award.

Veronica – Winner of the Service Excellence award at The unsung hero of the year awards in the Midlands

Veronica presented with the Coronation Champions Award in recognition for her outstanding voluntary work as part of the celebrations for the Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Finalist in the ‘outstanding women with community impact’. Charity and Voluntary award 2023.

Veronica COO – Finalist of the lifetime achiever award in the National Diversity Awards

The Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer team were thrilled to be invited to a reception given by their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace in recognition to community-based cancer support. Veronica was proudly presented with the West Midlands High Sheriff award for her outstanding contributions to her work within the community. Veronica also received the Worcestershire High Sheriff award for her activity and contribution in enhancing the life of the community.

A caring community

Since established, Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer has raised more than £2 million for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Trust’s Cancer Unit, which has helped raised funds for leading edge medical equipment and create a ‘centre of excellence’. During lockdown our Hug in a Bag initiative. was created – we now supply these to over 20 local hospitals.

Fundraising

We are a local charity, that relies entirely on donations, volunteers, and funding to deliver support and care to more than 1000 women and men fighting and surviving breast cancer every year. Because of this support, we are able to invest 97% of the funds we raise in those who need it the most.

Every year, over 1000 women and men in the West Midlands benefit from our support.

We rely entirely on funding, fundraising and our volunteers to carry out this important work. A £20 donation provides an hour of one to one counselling support for a breast cancer patient and £40 covers the costs for a Hug-In-A-Bag.

support@lfbc.org.uk