October is Breast Cancer Month: Events and Activities

October is Breast Cancer Month: Events and Activities

The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation (NZBCF) is challenging New Zealanders to take action against breast cancer this October and help raise funds for awareness and education programmes, potentially life-saving research, medical equipment, and services to support women with breast cancer.

Taking action can be as active or as leisurely as people choose, with several education or fundraising events offering a chance to get involved:

• Pink Caravan – The Pink Caravan will visit 32 small towns around NZ from September to November with the NZBCF’s breastcare nurses on board. Pop into the Pink Caravan with questions about breast cancer risk, signs and symptoms. www.nzbcf.org.nz/pinkcaravan

• Sign the NZBCF petition asking the NZ Government to extend free mammograms to women aged up to 74 – download the form at www.nzbcf.org.nz/OlderWomen . We hope to present the petition to Parliament during October, but first we need to reach 10,000 signatures.

• Pink Star Walks – Wellington (October 3), Auckland (October 17) and Christchurch (November 7) – twilight walks include 5km and 10km options, with a half-marathon walk in Christchurch. Comedian Urzila Carlson has made a video to promote the walks – watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfCkzW4KR9E . Register at www.pinkstarwalk.co.nz

• Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, nationwide Friday October 9 and Saturday October 10 – give two hours collecting for the street appeal in your area, or give a gold coin donation to a collector near you. Phone 0508 105 105 to volunteer or visit www.takeaction.org.nz .

• Pink Ribbon Motorcycle Rides, Sunday October 11 – the Women’s International Motorcycle Association (WIMA) will hold its annual Pink Ribbon Rides in Auckland and Wellington, with hundreds of pinked-out motorbikes on the road. Ride a bike, hop a bus, or watch the action from the roadside.

• Dentists for a Cause, Saturday October 17 – More than 20 dentists will donate their fees to the NZBCF. More info at www.dentistsforacause.co.nz

• BRA-Day, Tuesday October 20 – Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day – the NZBCF presents a free workshop at Auckland University Medical School for the public and medical profession, led by top reconstructive surgeons, discussing options for breast reconstruction after mastectomy – more info at www.nzbcf.org.nz

• Auckland Marathon, Sunday November 1 – sign up to the run the marathon or half-marathon at www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz, and donate your sponsorship funds to the NZBCF

• NZBCF Sweet Louise Advanced Breast Cancer Forum, November 14 – a free day for women and men with advanced breast cancer and their supporters, with information about latest medical treatments, diet, and maintaining quality of life. www.nzbcf.org.nz/ABCForum

• Pink for a Day – a chance for workplaces across New Zealand to go pink for a day and raise funds for breast cancer research www.PinkForADay.co.nz

• Community fundraising events throughout October – create your own or support someone else’s. Check out the events calendar at www.takeaction.org.nz

• In-store donations – Purchase a Pink Ribbon for $2 at Pak’n’Save from October 1-10, or buy the $5 Boobead keyring at Farmers stores, while stocks last.

Around 3000 women (and around 20 men) will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Funds raised this October will be used to support all areas of the NZBCF’s work. This includes educating women about signs of breast cancer and how to check their breasts, and informing women over 40 about the importance of early detection through mammograms. The NZBCF is one of the largest funders of breast cancer research in NZ, including research into new treatments, studies of how breast cancer grows and spreads, and improving access to clinical trials. The Foundation also funds medical equipment for NZ’s hospitals, training of doctors and other medical professionals, the Pink Caravan (taking breastcare nurses to small towns), services to support women recovering from or living with breast cancer, and the 0800 BC NURSE advice line.

For a full list of events to support the NZBCF during Breast Cancer Month, visit www.takeaction.org.nz

ENDS

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