On 1st June 2002 nine members of the Breast Cancer Support Board met for the first time. Party host and cl-maggiemac2000 describes this incredible day

'This is not just a testament to the fight against breast cancer but also a testament to forged friendships that MILES can't stop.'

'It's an amazing experience seeing the girls grow from having breast cancer in common to becoming true friends. Very few of the original board members have 'moved on' and not stayed in touch. Nine of the girls, including myself, made it to the party: Wendy, Murphy, fellow CL Stieve, Debbie, Lou, Janice and Jasc-Ann and Christa. Most of the girls came from the South Coast although some further afield. Janice travelled from South Wales, Jasc and her husband Dave from Sheffield, Debbie from Lincolnshire and Murphy all the way from America.

Meeting Murphy (Nashville) was as wonderful as we all thought it would be. Her husband Walt retires from his job as principal of a school for kids with learning difficulties next year. They had planned to travel from America to England and Ireland. However Murphy couldn't wait that long to meet us, so they brought their holiday plans forward to come to our party. Several of us chat to her through Instant Messenger and at our weekly evening chat on MSN.

Murphy presented all the girls with a silver chain and prayer box - a silver box decorated with Christian symbols. It is symbolic to open the box, put any worries inside, close it and then say a prayer. It was an emotional moment when Murphy handed out the prayer boxes whilst she recited a poem she'd written herself. As we spent the day with these prayer boxes hanging from our necks, it was as though the 12 of us had become part of an exclusive club. I cracked a joke about not needing Masonic handshakes as we will always know who is part of the 'club' by looking at these prayer boxes!

We were blessed with one of the best days of weather this year, enabling us to spend the day in the garden. Conversation mainly centred around our families and most of the girls brought photos of their loved ones along. There were four men with us for the day - my husband Derek, Stieve's husband Hamilton, Jasc-Ann's husband Dave and of course Murphy's husband Walt.

It was an emotional time when Murphy came to say her goodbyes. She had told Stieve that she never cries but, believe me, the tears flowed as she left us.

We have already planned our next reunion for early December and it wouldn't surprise me if it gets bigger and better with the coming years.'