In Australia’s Western state of Western Australia, two women have set out on a rather different cancer support mission that combines the power of laughter with healing. Kate Grainger and Carol Smith, both breast cancer survivors, created a support group, the “Shitty Titty Committee.” This group is designed to create a safe place for emotional support, friendship and camaraderie among women dealing with the issues of breast cancer.
Kate Grainger’s story started in early 2023, after Kate was given an awful diagnosis. Just weeks before she gave birth to her son, Grainger learned that she had breast cancer. Following the birth of her daughter at Busselton Hospital, she began undergoing chemotherapy treatments just nine days after giving birth. As part of her treatment, she went through aggressive chemotherapy and surgery. After months of fighting the disease, she recently celebrated as she received her first clear scan.
Carol Smith’s journey with breast cancer began in 2018. At 36 years old, she found a lump in her left breast. The news shocked her profoundly.
“When they sat me down and said, ‘You have breast cancer,’ my reaction was just shock,” – Carol Smith.
A Journey of Resilience
Yet it is the quality of resilience that has brought these two amazing women to this point. At the time of Grainger’s diagnosis, life for her was at a crossroads, as she was nurturing the imminent arrival of her newborn. She described her experience with cancer as overwhelming, revealing that when she learned about her condition, “there was literally cancer coming out of my breast at a very high rate and it had metastasised to my lymph node and it was a grade 3 cancer.”
With his arduous treatment behind him, Grainger is looking ahead to brighter days. She conveyed the personal impact of her diagnosis, including how she would not be able to take care of her family while going through treatment.
“It was just like giving my heart a hug because I knew I couldn’t get up and make my family a meal and I couldn’t carry my baby and couldn’t hold my two or four-year-old,” – Kate Grainger.
Both women have found great solace in their shared journey. They’ve taken their pain and use it to fuel programs and initiatives that help others who are fighting the same fight.
Building Community Through Humor
In 2024, Grainger and Smith introduced the Shitty Titty Committee—a name that shows that these legislators mean business, but don’t take themselves too seriously. The group has quickly grown to include around 17 women from the Busselton area. It provides a welcoming environment for survivors and patients to meet, exchange experiences, and encourage each other.
Smith remembered how she turned to online communities while going through treatment and wanted to build something like that in her community. “Oh, it’s just a group of us locals who have had the c-bomb dropped on us and we’re just stumbling through it together,” she stated.
Their stories, advocacy, and art create a safe space to normalize conversations around breast cancer and honor the emotional, mental, and spiritual impact it can have.
“Would you like to be part of the Shitty Titty Committee?” – Carol Smith.
“Absolutely,” – responded the woman Carol Smith invited to join.
The supportive environment fosters a sense of belonging among members who understand each other’s struggles.
Fundraising for Awareness
In addition to emotional support, the Shitty Titty Committee focuses on raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Perhaps their most unique initiative is the “Big Boobie Ball.” This was Smith’s brainchild, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her 2018 diagnosis in 2023. This special celebration provided an opportunity for our local breast cancer survivors and patients to find community, camaraderie and celebration.
Melanie Marsh, long a member of NJC’s leadership and a tireless advocate for its work, reminded us to remember to laugh even when times are bad.
“It is great to keep the sense of humour in something that can be quite dark for some people [and] it does get the message out there,” – Melanie Marsh.
The Big Boobie Ball gave birth to an effective and fun fundraising vehicle. It reminded us all of the amazing power derived from being supported by a strong community.
