Don’t miss the “Body, Mind, Spirit 2010: National Conference for Young Women Living with Breast Cancer” October 29th to 31st, 2010 at the Toronto Hilton Hotel.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Network and co-presenter Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation bring together 400 young women with breast cancer to educate and inspire them in all aspects of their cancer journey.

This year’s Conference includes two gala dinners: “Rock Your Cancer” with Canadian rocker and breast cancer survivor Bif Naked, who will share experiences from her two-year battle with breast cancer; and “Breast Fest” where Rethink Breast Cancer will roll out the pink carpet to premiere the film “Jonna’s Body, Please Hold”.

Click here for the full details

Host Jim DeMaria speaks Jonna Tamases about her shows, Jonna’s Body, Please Hold and Girl Manifesto, and traveling around the country performing at survivor days, oncology symposiums, and other wonderful cancer supportive events.

Listen to the interview here

or visit The Nurses Station website and subscribe to the iTunes Podcast.

The Auckland Methodist Central Parish, Pilgrim Productions, CityLife Hotel Auckland and BCS joined together to present a wonderful evening of entertainment with visiting Los Angeles-based actress Jonna Tamases and her award-winning one-woman show “Jonna’s Body, Please Hold!” On Friday 22 May, 90 people gathered at the Theatre Pitt to enjoy the show and to raise money for BCS. Jonna (pictured) performed in Auckland courtesy of the aforementioned sponsors and helped raise over $1,000 for BCS.

“Jonna’s Body, Please Hold” offers an original, often hilarious but poignant, tender look into Ms Tamases’ own battle with cancer, a performance that uplifts, inspires and challenges despair with Jonna’s own contagious zest for life.

Jonna gives us a glimpse into the hectic day to day world of her body, complete with Baby Toe (who is squeezed into a too-tight shoe), Upper Back who threatens to go on strike if she doesn’t rest up a little and those irrepressible twins Uta and Ula, breasts begging to be released from the torment of a restricting bra. A busy receptionist sits at a switchboard, fielding calls from these irate tenants, dishing out as much comfort and advice as she can while her boss, Ms Jonna, carries on with life, somewhat oblivious and neglectful of the goings-on inside her body … that is until two unwanted tenants move in – the charming French madame Venice and the tough ‘old goat’ Walter – two cancerous personalities determined to set up housekeeping and wreak their havoc.

Jonna performs with an engaging honesty, involving the audience not only in the drama of the situation unfolding within her body but also establishing a chatty rapport as she speaks directly about her life and experiences.

With courage, honesty, and humor Jonna takes us inside her battle with cancer. We are with her every step of the way as she is diagnosed, more than once, endures tests, scans, biopsies and multiple rounds  of chemotherapy and then we are there as her ravaged body begins to recover from the trauma of the disease. The body parts report in as they fight the battle and struggle to recover and restore her to health. Jonna finds that her body – its strength and will to survive – is her greatest ally and her most precious asset.

Jonna’s performance moved, inspired and delighted the audience – a truly talented actress with a brave, courageous and moving story to tell.

For more information about Jonna, visit her play website, Jonnas’ Body. Click here to view the Auckland performance poster.

BCS wishes to thank the Auckland Methodist Central Parish, Pilgrim Productions and CityLife Hotel Auckland for their kind support of this event.

Audience member checking out the Girl Manifesto

Jonna was the keynote speaker at the Fight With Grace annual fundraiser supporting the Advanced Breast Care Specialists of Orange County.