Key facts: in numbers

1

Sweet Louise is the only charitable organisation in New Zealand dedicated to supporting women and men living with incurable breast cancer.

750+

Sweet Louise currently supports over 730 Kiwis with incurable breast cancer right across New Zealand.

3,000

Approximately 3,000 people a year are diagnosed with breast cancer.

30%

Almost 30% of people diagnosed with primary breast cancer will go on to develop incurable breast cancer.

3

Once diagnosed with incurable breast cancer, the average life expectancy in New Zealand is approximately three years. Whilst the cancer cannot be cured, in many cases, it is treatable. With the right care and support, people with incurable breast cancer can continue to live a positive and productive life.

59-

Over half of the women Sweet Louise supports are under the age of 59 and many of them have children under the age of 18.

200+

Each year we hold over 200 meetings across NZ so women can connect with each other for vital peer-to-peer support.

Logos and resources

Sweet Louise logo

Sweet Louise ribbon

Sweet Louise logo grey

Sweet Louise bunting

Your impact

Don’t Delay Fun
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Sweet Louise Member Claire McLintock has produced a limited-edition range of t-shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness Month featuring the slogans ‘F*** Cancer’ and ‘Don’t Delay Fun’. All proceeds go directly to support Sweet Louise! Claire... Read More

Accept the diagnosis, defy the verdict!
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Barbara McNaught from Auckland shares her story of hope – having been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer 20 years ago. “I’m in a good place now but I never take anything for granted. Having Sweet... Read More

Live more. Fear less!
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“Being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer has made me start living my best life. I can’t control the cancer, but I can control how I respond,” says Karen Barnett from Auckland, who was diagnosed with... Read More

I can now stand up boldly
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“Sweet Louise has inspired me not to allow the cancer to control my life. I want to live life to the full,” says Metua Ngamata-Rorani, a mum and grandma from Auckland. Through her job as... Read More

Fundraising inspiration!

Vote for Ellie – our local hero!
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Ellie, our wonderful Sweet Louise Support Coordinator for Central Auckland, has been named a finalist in the 2026 Westfield Local Heroes! Ellie is a true ray of sunshine and, like all our incredible Support Coordinators,... Read More

Fill up for good!
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You can now use your Good in the Hood token to vote for Sweet Louise at participating Z stations! 🎉 From 18 August to 14 September, every orange token counts. Simply pop your token into... Read More

Stand Strong 4 Sweet Louise 2026!
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From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for your support on our recent Stand Strong 4 Sweet Louise Giving Day. You helped us raise an astonishing $183,000 in just 24 hours! This... Read More

Volunteering with Heart
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Geraldine’s Sweet Louise Story This National Volunteer Week, we wanted to do a special shout out to Geraldine. Geraldine has been volunteering with Sweet Louise for over 18 months, supporting our community gatherings in her... Read More

Creativity and Community
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Bra Art, Big Hearts: Lions Club Raises Over $1,000 for Sweet Louise A huge thank you to the wonderful Palmerston North Heartland Lions Club for their incredible support of Sweet Louise through their beautiful fundraising... Read More

Our biggest ever Walk 50K This May!
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Wow! What an incredible month of May we had. This May, more than 5,000 amazing Kiwis stepped up to take part in Walk 50K This May, walking with purpose and fundraising to support people living... Read More

Walking with Purpose
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Marijke’s Walk 50K Journey When Marijke first came across Sweet Louise, she was inspired by the many stories of people taking part in Walk 50K in May.   Living in Mangawhai, Marijke took on the... Read More

The power of a promise
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Meet Helen and Cheryl, two incredible women supported by Sweet Louise who have created something truly special: the Sweet Louise Pinky Promise. Remember linking little fingers with someone you love and saying ‘Pinky Promise’? Through... Read More

Thank you for bringing practical kindness and care to New Zealanders with incurable breast cancer, helping them to live as well as possible, for as long as possible.