Our Story & Mission

Why we exist and how we support our Hunter community.

1. How it began

A Humble Beginning, A Lasting Purpose

The Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation (HBCF) was founded in 1999 by Milton and Virginia Rigby after their own experience with breast cancer highlighted the difference that practical, personal support can make.

Virginia was deeply grateful for the care she received from family and friends during her treatment. But the Rigbys knew that not all local families navigating breast cancer would have that same level of support. They wanted to change that, and so HBCF was established with a simple goal: to provide practical and immediate assistance to people in the Hunter region facing breast cancer.

HBCF was registered as a charity in 2000, and from its humble beginnings — including Milton volunteering to drive patients to their treatment appointments — the organisation has grown to support hundreds of local families each year with practical services, driven by compassion and community.

2. What we do

Practical Support, Every Step Of The Way

HBCF provides a range of essential support services designed to help people and families who are navigating breast cancer treatment and recovery. These services are free and tailored to address real, everyday needs that can make a big difference during a difficult time.

Our services include:

• Transport to and from medical appointments

• Cleaning and lawn care support

• Comfort packs and home support

• Scholarships to support children’s education

• Prosthesis financial support and wig/headwear library

• Wellness resources through our hub

Each of these services exists because of community generosity and the commitment of volunteers who help deliver care with dignity, respect and kindness.

3. Who we support

Hunter families in need

HBCF exists for the people of the Hunter region who receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Our clients are local individuals and families — neighbours, friends and colleagues — who are dealing with the emotional and practical challenges that come with treatment.

We know that breast cancer affects more than health. It affects day-to-day life, independence and family routines. That is why we focus on practical assistance that helps ease pressure, foster dignity and allow people to focus on what matters most.

Our services are tailored to meet local needs, and we adapt our support as the community changes and grows.

4. Our mission

What we stand for

Our mission is straightforward and deeply rooted in community values:

To ensure no one in the Hunter faces breast cancer alone.

Guided by this mission, we deliver support with integrity, compassion and collaboration. We believe in:

• Community first — prioritising our Hunter neighbours

• Practical care — meeting real needs with real support

• Respect and dignity — in all that we do

• Collaboration — with volunteers, partners and supporters

• Sustainability — building services that last

These core principles shape how we work and how we grow as an organisation.

5. Our impact

Local support that matters

Over more than two decades, HBCF has developed services in direct response to what local families have said they need most. Today we proudly support hundreds of Hunter families each year with services that make a real difference in people’s lives.

The strength of HBCF lies not in its size but in its local connection — a belief that support should be personal, practical and grounded in community.

You can learn more about the impact HBCF has on the local communitty in our Annual Impact Reports.

6. Why community support matters

HBCF is 100% funded by the local community. Every donation, fundraising event, volunteer hour and partnership helps sustain and grow our services right here in the Hunter.

We are proud to be a community-led organisation, where support stays local and the benefits stay close to home.

If you’d like to support our work, partner with us or find out more about how your involvement makes an impact, we would love to hear from you.

Over 25 Years of Celebrating Community

In 2024, the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation marked 25 years of supporting people facing breast cancer across the Hunter region.

To honour this milestone, we brought together individuals who have played a significant role in HBCF’s journey over the years. In this video, they reflect on the history of the foundation, the values that continue to guide our work, and what it means to be part of a community that shows up for one another.

Their stories are a reminder that HBCF has always been, and will continue to be, built on compassion, connection and local care.