Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ) is inviting Aucklanders to get amongst the many initiatives taking place this October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
From pink socks on the rugby fields to the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, pinked out Harley Davidsons to the Pink Ribbon Walk – October is the time to show support and fundraise for the more than 3,500 Kiwi women diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and also to make sure women are being vigilant about breast health.
BCFNZ’s chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, says: “Breast cancer is most treatable when it’s caught early – it’s vital for us to keep spreading this life-saving message when we’ve all been so distracted by Covid-19 these past few years. We’re urging women to make sure they’re up to date with their mammograms, and to see a doctor quickly if they notice any symptoms.
“This October we’re also asking New Zealanders to contribute to our vision of zero deaths from breast cancer. As a charity that receives no Government funding, the generosity of Kiwis donating to our cause will make a huge difference to further our work in research, education, advocacy and patient support,” adds Rayner.
There lots of different ways Aucklanders can get behind Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
· Volunteer for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal – join 10,000 volunteers taking to the streets on 28 and 29 October to shake a pink bucket for two hours. In Auckland, area co-ordinators (who manage a small team of local collectors) are still being sought in Bombay, Drury, Green Bay, Gulf Harbour, Mt Albert, Piha, Pukekohe and Titirangi.
· Check out pink on the rugby pitch in the NPC Pink Sock Campaign. For the first time, all 14 provincial unions will take the field wearing pink socks in round nine of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC in support of BCFNZ. Each home team will be holding fundraising activities for BCFNZ at their matches that weekend. Games involving Auckland teams: Auckland v Taranaki at Eden Park on 1 October, Southland v North Harbour at Invercargill Rugby Park on 1 October and Counties Manukau v Wellington at Navigation Homes Stadium on 2 October.
· Walk for the ones you love at the Pink Ribbon Walk – sign up for Auckland’s pinkest fundraising walk returning to the Auckland Domain on Sunday 6 November. Also for the first time this year, Aucklanders can walk in their own neighbourhoods by taking on the Pink Ribbon Walk Challenge – over the month of October, walk 350,000 steps for the 3,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
· Hop on a Harley at the 19th Annual Pink Ribbon Ride, 9 October – a motorcycle charity ride raising funds for BCFNZ. All motorbikes, trikes and scooters are welcome to join the convoy departing at 10:30am from the Auckland Netball Centre, heading to Western Springs Stadium.
· Go Pink For A Day – a campaign for workplaces to raise funds and start conversations about breast health and wellbeing. The first 500 organisations to sign up will receive a free Pink For A Day pack to help make fundraising a breeze.
· See Eden Park and the Sky Tower lit up in pink as they join landmarks and buildings across Aotearoa New Zealand helping to shine a light on breast cancer. The pink illuminations will take place at Eden Park on 30 September - 1 October and Sky Tower 2-3 October.
· Hear from experts at the Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day free information evening – an opportunity for breast cancer patients and health professionals to get the latest information about options for breast reconstruction from surgeons and nurses at Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau. Taking place at 6:30-8:30pm on 19 October at the Ellerslie Event Centre.
Find out more about all the different ways to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month at breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/bcam
Each year around 1,030 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Auckland. Early detection is crucial for surviving breast cancer – the 10-year survival rate if breast cancer is detected by mammogram is 95%, but this falls to 85% if a woman finds a lump. Women should be ‘breast aware’ from the age of 20, which means getting to know the normal look and feel of your breasts so you can tell your doctor if there are any changes. BCFNZ recommends considering annual mammograms from 40-49, then every two years from 50.
Free mammograms through BreastScreen Aotearoa are available when you’re 45-69.
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