Cancer Focus NI and Dale Farm urge people to Go Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer Focus NI has unveiled details of its new Go Pink fundraising campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. The charity has also announced dairy co-operative Dale Farm as the official sponsor of the Go Pink campaign.

The campaign is being launched as projections from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) indicate that the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed in Northern Ireland each year will continue to rise.

Official figures from the NICR show that by 2025 the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed each year in Northern Ireland is expected to rise by 27 percent from the annual average in the years 2013 to 2017. For 2040, the projected figure shows a rise of 57 percent in breast cancer cases diagnosed from the 2013 to 2017 annual average.

122 women diagnosed each month

Currently, an average of 122 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each month in Northern Ireland. Through its Go Pink campaign, Cancer Focus NI is urging people to raise as much money as possible for its much-needed local breast cancer support services.

Pink Run

Other Go Pink events include the popular Pink Run at Titanic Slipways, Belfast. Taking place from 12 noon on Sunday 8 October, well-known Belfast fitness coach and influencer, Sarah McDonagh from Strive Fitness will be sharing tips online to help people of all fitness levels enjoy the 5k and 10k distances, as well as conducting the warm-up sessions ahead of the race.

Styled by Rebecca

Fashion fans are also in for a treat as Rebecca McKinney will be donating a bespoke Go Pink collection and taking over the window of Cancer Focus NI’s retail store in Holywood, Co. Down. The popular stylist and broadcaster will also host a Styled by Rebecca sustainable fashion event on Wednesday 4 October in the Holywood store. Guests will receive advice on breast cancer awareness, enjoy a fashion showcase, have the opportunity to ‘swop and shop’,  and savour a glass of pink lemonade as well as a Dale Farm Ice Cream sweet treat on arrival.

MLA Check Your Chest event

On Monday 16 October, Cancer Focus NI is also inviting all local MLAs to a ‘Check Your Chest’ event at Stormont.

Schools and workplaces are also being encouraged to get involved in the month-long fundraising and awareness campaign with support and fundraising packs on offer from the charity’s fundraising team.

As part of the Go Pink campaign, sponsors Dale Farm will also be offering several luxury prizes, including five Girls’ Night In giveaways consisting of a Dale Farm Go Pink Rapture Hamper, a selection of Rapture ice cream tubs and a limited edition Go Pink robe and luxury eye mask. Dale Farm has also curated a collection of Go Pink Rapture recipes for the ultimate ice-cream indulgence, ideal for Girls’ Night In gatherings or DIY Go Pink fundraising events.

Further information on all of the events and fundraising support on offer as part of Cancer Focus NI’s Go Pink campaign can be found online at cancerfocusni.org.

Speaking ahead of the campaign, Maeve Colgan, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Cancer Focus NI, said:

“Sadly, figures from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry tell us the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed in Northern Ireland looks set to continue to rise sharply in the coming years. Cancer Focus NI is absolutely delighted, therefore, to have the support of Dale Farm for our Go Pink campaign, as with their backing, we will be able to reach even more people across Northern Ireland this October.

“We are encouraging everyone to join in with our Go Pink campaign, in whatever way they can, in support of our breast cancer support services. Whether it’s having fun with friends at a Girls’ Night In, a coffee morning in your workplace, or an individual donation, you will be playing a vital part in enabling Cancer Focus NI to continue to deliver breast cancer support services such as counselling, bra and swimwear fitting, and support groups to local women and families”.

Claire Hale, Senior Brand Manager, Dale Farm, added:

“Our Dale Farm mission is all about sharing goodness in our local communities, therefore supporting Cancer Focus NI as part of our wider community partnership programme has brought us such pride. At Dale Farm we have a vast range of on-going activities and initiatives to help fundraise for this brilliant charity. We are delighted to continue to play our part by sponsoring the Cancer Focus NI Go Pink campaign. Breast Cancer affects so many people across Northern Ireland. We know the funds raised from this campaign will go a long way in helping Cancer Focus NI raise awareness, fund local breast cancer support services and continue to support families throughout Northern Ireland.’’

Also urging people to support the campaign is Cancer Focus NI client Angela Taylor from Banbridge, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and who now works as a volunteer with the charity. Angela said:

“It’s been a tough few years. I lost everything internally following an earlier hysterectomy, then I lost my hair, and then my breast. I’ve had so many feminine parts of me removed that I no longer feel like a woman. Sometimes I feel like a shell.

“Cancer Focus NI’s counselling service was there for me when I was in need, and it is comforting to know that they will be there for someone in a similar position that I was in. Thank you for supporting their work during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

 

Register to Go Pink today, click here.