Invercargill to be lit up in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
“Our aim is to make all of Aotearoa pink throughout October – it’s a key way for us to get people talking and thinking about breast cancer."
Invercargill is turning pink in October to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The water tower, Queens Park band rotunda, Gala Street fountain, and Feldwick Street gates will be glowing in pink, joining more than 60 of New Zealand’s landmarks, streets and prominent buildings in a global campaign to shine a spotlight on the importance of detecting breast cancer early.
The campaign runs throughout the whole month of October and ends with Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s annual Pink Ribbon Street Appeal. On 27 and 28 October, 10,000 volunteers will be out in force throughout the country collecting donations for breast cancer research, education, and patient support.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, says October is the time to show support for the 3,500 Kiwis diagnosed with breast cancer every year and take action to end deaths from breast cancer:
“Our aim is to make all of Aotearoa pink throughout October – it’s a key way for us to get people talking and thinking about breast cancer, and this year we’re highlighting how breast cancer is survivable if diagnosed early enough. Having the whole country lit up in pink is a spectacular way to help us spread that message.
“Everyday Kiwis play a vital role in our mission to stop breast cancer deaths. Every donation made through our street appeal makes a huge difference as we receive no government funding for our life-saving work,” Rayner adds.
The Foundation is still seeking volunteers in Invercargill to collect for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal. For more information on this and other ways to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/bcam
Every year around 240 women are diagnosed with breast cancer across the Southern region.
Early detection is crucial for surviving breast cancer – the 10-year survival rate if breast cancer is detected by mammogram is 95%.
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.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ 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.
We need to put coloured lighting on to the water tower! Since is unsafe to be in then let’s use it in a positive way and light it up in celebration as well