Peer Support - The Gift of Knowledge

The Gift of Knowledge is the peer support network of NZFBOC. It's where you can connect with others impacted by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
 

It was founded in 2010 by Nicola Coom who carries the BRCA1 gene mutation. She describes her motivation to establish The Gift of Knowledge:
 

"In 2005 BRCA became part of my families’ vocabulary. Thankfully.

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I didn’t understand what it meant so I ignored it. In 2006 we learned that my Mum had this gene and also ovarian cancer. I became a little more interested. But I searched for information and couldn’t find any so ignored it again. Mum’s cancer didn’t go away, in fact it spread. Watching Mum go through chemo was increasing my interest in finding out more about this gene. I didn’t know where to start. In the end my sister booked us in to see a Genetic Specialist. Three months later I found out I was BRCA positive. Cool, now what? I struggled to find relevant information that helped me understand my options and learn more about the advancements that were being made in relation to screening, prevention and/or treating this cancer. I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship through the FORCE foundation and funding from the Lotteries Commission to attend a conference in Orlando, United States covering everything imaginable relating to BRCA. It was incredible and empowering. I came home wanting all New Zealanders to have access to this information; feel supported in their own country and have a local ‘place to go’, hence the creation of The Gift of Knowledge.

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I named it The Gift of Knowledge because that is how I see it. Had I not been given this information I would not have the choices I have today."

 

​Nicola is now a Trustee of NZFBOC, and Chief Executive of the Cancer Society.

In 2025, The Gift of Knowledge merged with NZFBOC.