Wellington students raise breast cancer awareness

Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC)
www.breastcancer.org.nz
Media Release
For Immediate Release, Auckland 2 August 2007

Wellington students raise breast cancer awareness

A year 13 student at Wellington Girls' College is raising awareness and funds for breast cancer by organising a 'Month of Exercise' campaign for students in August. Katy Atkinson believes young people need to know more about a disease that claims the lives of over 600 New Zealand women every year. Funds raised from the project will be donated to BCAC.

'These women are our mums, grandmothers, aunties, sisters, cousins and friends,' said Katy. 'We're encouraging students at Wellington Girls' College and the boys at Wellington College to participate in a fun project of sponsored exercise and we've chosen the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) as our charity. I wanted the boys to take part because men get breast cancer too.'

Katy has developed a detailed project plan and the students are now seeking sponsors for their exercise activities. The project ends with a sponsored run and students participating over the month will be sponsored for every hour of exercise they complete. Student leaders will manage twelve teams. Members will choose their exercise from such activities as running, swimming, walking, rugby, netball, dance, surfing, snowboarding, canoeing and scuba diving. Teams will also compete against each other to achieve the greatest number of hours.

Katy is 'a pretty awesome young lady and very hard working,' says her Form Teacher, Ms Sarah Coales. Staff at both schools are very proud of the initiative the students are planning and hope individuals and companies will sponsor them generously. Katy has been the cross country captain for two years and is actively involved in many sporting activities at school.

'It is fantastic to see our young people taking such an interest in and showing concern for a disease which takes the lives of so many of our wonderful women,' said Libby Burgess, Chair of BCAC. 'The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition is proud to be associated with Katy's project and we are grateful to be the recipient of funds raised.'

'I hope the project will not only raise money for our chosen charity but will also encourage students to do more exercise!' said Katy. 'The health benefits of regular exercise are well known and the earlier we learn about this in our lives the better!'

To arrange an interview or for more information about the Month of Exercise, please contact:
Sarah Coales 0276554484 or Katy Atkinson 0274903855.

About Katy Atkinson
I started this project because I wanted to do something in my final year of Wellington Girls' College that would make a big impact. It had to be something to do with sport because sport is my life. My aim for this project is not only to raise lots of money for BCAC but also to raise awareness amongst teenagers about how we can help women and men deal with
something we may have to deal with later on in life. My life revolves around sport and I play three team sports as well as cross country and athletics. In my spare time I love to hang out with my friends and they mean so much to me! Next year I am hoping to go to Otago University to study PE and Social Work and I want to train to be a Police Woman after university.

About the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition
www.breastcancer.org.nz
The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) is an Incorporated Society with charitable status, presenting a unified voice to call for change, improvement and innovation on behalf of all New Zealand women experiencing breast cancer.

BCAC was formed in November, 2004 when twelve New Zealand breast cancer organisations came together at a forum to create one group. BCAC now has twenty-one member organisations and is currently working on five major initiatives:
1. to ensure consistent, high quality detection and treatment of breast cancer throughout New Zealand by promoting the development and implementation of evidence-based best practice guidelines;
2. to support the prompt and effective implementation of the extended age breast-screening programme (45 to 69);
3. to inform and advocate for improved access to breast cancer treatment drugs;
4. to research and promote the provision of professional psychosocial services for breast cancer patients and their whanau, family, friends and supporters;
5. to identify and promote breast cancer issues for Māori and Pacific Island women

ends

© Scoop Media