18TH VIENNA DANCER AGAINST CANCER GALA BALL

10th May 2025

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HOFBURG VIENNA

THE MYAID AWARD

We would like to thank all MyAid winners so far for their outstanding commitment against cancer and we are honored to be able to recognize these people!

MyAid Award 2024 ALEX GREINER

The MyAid Award 2024 goes to a remarkable man who has drawn strength from his cancer and now helps other men with cancer himself. He has written a book about it, “Als ich dem Tod in die Eier trat" (translated to "When I Kicked Death in the Balls”) where he leads the self-help group for men at Cancer Aid Vienna and he moderates the “Men’s Room,” a kind of online self-help group, for Cancer Aid. He is a journalist, presenter, speaker and describes himself as a cancer activist:

MyAid Award 2023

Christa Bleyer has been living with her breast cancer diagnosis since 2003. A fate that affects around one in eight women. Her appeal: “Take precautions!”

In 2003, the Viennese woman received her first breast cancer diagnosis: "I felt a lump in my breast and went straight to a mammogram. It only took a few days from the diagnosis to the operation," she says. Two tumors in the left breast were removed, followed by radiation and anti-hormone therapy.

Cancer metastasized and has spread to the lungs.

In 2007, two tumors were discovered in her right breast. Despite treatment, it metastasized to the lungs in 2009 and doctors had to remove part of the organ. Six years later, the multiple grandmother had another lump in her breast. Bleyer decided to have both breasts removed. "I tried to look at it positively. For example, I can finally wear backless dresses without needing a bra," she laughs bravely.

Many people forget about preventive examinations.

Bleyer's biggest appeal is: "Take precautions." Except for the first lump, all of her breast cancers were detected during check-ups. “My grandchildren know that they have to take precautions. But many people forget that.” It is particularly important to her that men go for regular check-ups as well.

The earlier you go for preventative care and start appropriate treatment, the shorter it can be and therefore have fewer side effects. Because Christa Bleyer still suffers from this today. From hair loss and difficulty finding words to fatigue and a Parkinson's diagnosis, which was probably promoted by chemotherapy.

Family history increases the risk tenfold.

The expert also agrees with this.

“Cancer is no longer a catastrophe; the majority of women are healthy after the treatment,” says Christian Singer, head of the Center for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer at MedUni Vienna. The expert emphasizes that precaution remains the most important thing. “Anyone who has a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer has a ten times higher risk of developing the disease,” says Singer. Men in particular underestimate the risk of developing a female-read cancer such as breast cancer.

THE MYAID AWARD 2023:

THE CANCER CLUB WIENER NEUSTADT

"Wiener Neustadt has a renowned regional hospital with an excellent oncology department. This is also necessary in the second largest city in Lower Austria, because the cancer rate here in the industrial quarter is high. It is therefore all the more incomprehensible that there is no self-help group for cancer patients in our region. With the Cancer Club, we now want to offer those affected valuable assistance," says Deputy Mayor Rainer Spenger, explaining the idea behind the new self-help group. Patients made it again and again attentive to the absence of such a professional exchange possibility. That's why the SPÖ, with local councillors Sabine Bugnar and Sissy Wallner, together with the Lichtblick association, is now giving a private initiative a jump-start.

"Our club doors are open to everyone who wants to feel understood and in good hands with the diagnosis of cancer. Together we will talk in a cozy atmosphere about worries and problems, but also about wishes and goals. The exchange of experiences and the transfer of information are just as important as a positive view of the future. All under expert psychooncological guidance," say the two leaders Sonja Maras, a metastasized breast cancer patient, and Eva Hornof, a psychooncologist. It is important to ensure empowerment, to learn from others and to find an appropriate way of dealing with one's own illness, according to the two front women, who rely on cooperation with all essential agencies.

"We are proud to be able to help people in a difficult disease situation with the Cancer Club. Especially the accompanied, qualitative exchange among patients, this 'not being alone' with the fate, takes an enormous burden off the shoulders of those affected," emphasizes Uta Weber-Grüner, managing director of Verein Lichtblick. She is pleased about the expansion of the offer in the city. The Verein Lichtblick acts as an umbrella organization that provides structural, organizational and personnel support.

The cancer club opens starting from 1 September in each case on 1. and on 3. Tuesday in the month of 17 to 19 o'clock in the European house in the city park (emperor Maximilian Promenade 1).

For registration under 026 22 / 26 222 and/or office@verein-lichtblick.at one asks. The participation fee (drinks included) is 10 euros (should this be a hurdle for participants from Wiener Neustadt, the SPÖ-Stadtfrauen will find a solution). "Come in and feel good", is the invitation.

Photo: Uta Weber-Grüner from the Lichtblick association, breast cancer activist Claudia Altmann-Pospischek, director Sonja Maras, deputy mayor Rainer Spenger, Eva Hornof (director), Sabine Bugnar and Sissy Wallner from the health committee.

"MYAID" MEANS MY HELP. THIS AWARD IS INTENDED TO HONOR PEOPLE WHO ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO SOCIAL COMMITMENT IN THEIR LIVES.

WITH THE MYAID AWARD, WE WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR HUMAN - AND OFTEN SUPERHUMAN - STRENGTH AND LOVE FOR OTHERS.

These personalities do not put themselves in the foreground - they usually work and act very modestly in the background and do good without expecting anything in return.

Among the previous MyAid winners were already: Fran Drescher - "The Nanny" and her Mister Sheffield Charles Shaughnessy, Kelly LeBrock "The Woman in Red", Sophie von der Stap for the bestseller "The Girl with the 9 Wigs", Ruth McCartney (stepsister of Paul McCartney), Myriam van M. and many other important people who have dedicated their lives to the fight against cancer or are themselves role models as fighters against cancer.

MyAid Award general information:

"MyAid" means my help. This award is intended to honor people who make social commitment a priority in their lives.

We want to thank with the MyAid Award for human - often superhuman strength and charity.

These personalities do not put themselves in the foreground - they usually work and act very modestly in the background and do good without expecting anything in return.

In 2010, the first MyAid Award was presented to the American actress Fran Drescher.

The 2nd MyAid Award was given in 2011 to Dr. Konstanze Kuchenmeister for her commitment to early diagnosis and processing of what she has experienced with the help of the author Hera Lind in the book "Durch Himmel und Hölle" (Through Heaven and Hell).

The 3rd MyAid Award 2012 was given to Charles Shaughnessy for his commitment to Cancer Schmancer.

The 4th MyAid Award 2013 was awarded for the first time National AND Internatinal.

The national winner was Susanne Safer and the international winner was Sophie van der Stap for her bestseller "The Girl with 9 Wigs".

The 5th MyAid Award 2014 went to Kelly LeBrock for her commitment as "Voice against Brain Cancer" and to Julia Sedlacek who beat cancer.

The 6th MyAid Award in 2015 went to Myriam von M. and Carina Flatow for their fight against the taboo topic of cancer and to Ruth McCartney for her support of Paul McCartney's Cancer Center of the Linda McCartney Foundation.

In 2016, the MyAid Award went to Heidi Schaller, who, in addition to her two bouts with cancer, not only continued to run Werzer Hotels but also had to accept the death of her husband. In addition, she is mom to two young children, whom she remarkably took care of herself during this terrible phase.

Martina Hagspiel received the MyAid Award in 2017 for the project "Kurvenkratzer" Martina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 at the age of 32.

"Kurvenkratzer" is a book project with 25 stories from people personally affected. They write about their experiences from the diagnosis of breast cancer, through the creation of the therapy plan to everyday life with chemotherapy. Not only the women with the disease have their say, but also their relatives and friends.

"With cancer, it is at least as important to support the immediate family, to also ask them how they are doing and how you can support them," says Hagspiel.

De-tabooing the topic of cancer is also important to Dancer against Cancer. It is often not easy to talk about one's own fate, but it is important because it can be extremely encouraging for many of those affected. You don't feel so alone with your fate, you have companions and people who show you that there is a way back. We want to honor Martina Hagspiel for the outstanding idea and implementation!