The Beautiful Shawl Project is making significant strides in increasing access to potentially life-saving breast screens for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Victoria.
This initiative, a partnership between VACCHO and BreastScreen Victoria, is dedicated to providing accessible breast screening services and cultural screening shawls to people in Community.
From July 2023 – June 2024, the Beautiful Shawl Project saw a notable increase in screens among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients achieving a 39.5% rise compared to the previous 12-month period. During this period a total of 406 Aboriginal and Torres Islander clients have had a breast screen through the Beautiful Shawl Project.
In the same period, the Beautiful Shawl Project worked alongside 22 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Aboriginal-led services representing an 83% increase in ACCO participation compared to the previous 12-month period.
VACCHO CEO, Dr. Jill Gallagher AO firmly believes the Beautiful Shawl Project saves lives.
“Every year we see more and more Aboriginal women screened as part of the Beautiful Shawl Project – it’s truly amazing” said Dr. Gallagher. “I’m proud that we’re able to provide this life saving service to Community.”
Established in 2018, the ongoing expansion and success of the Beautiful Shawl Project ensures that more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients have access to empowering and culturally safe breast screens.
Every member of Community who screens with the Beautiful Shawl Project receives a Beautiful Shawl often featuring artwork from a local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist, that they can wear during the screen and that is theirs to keep.
Learn more about the Beautiful Shawl Project here.
Watch the Beautiful Shawl Documentary here.
