Get In Pink this October for breast cancer research

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland is calling on local people to hold a pink inspired event during October – breast cancer awareness month – to raise vital funds for pioneering research at Queen’s University Belfast.

The In Pink campaign is being run in partnership with MediCare Pharmacy Group.

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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Northern Ireland – every

year 1,200 are diagnosed and 300 lose their lives.

Cancer Focus NI has been funding research at Queen’s for a number of years and has just launched a new campaign called In Pink to encourage the public to do something pink to help continue their work into this devastating disease.

Suzi McIlwain, community fundraising manager for Cancer Focus NI, said: “Just £200 will fund half a day’s work by our researchers who could make a huge difference to the future of women who carry the mutated BRCA1 gene, women who have an 85% chance of getting breast cancer in their lifetime.

“Even the smallest donation will help our researchers explore better ways to prevent breast cancer and find alternative treatments for high risk women who, at present, have to consider having breast removal to drastically cut their chance of cancer.

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“We urgently need you to help by organising or supporting a local In Pink fundraising event – we can’t do it without you! And whatever you decide to do, we’d love you to spread the word and share and tag us online so we can see what you’re up to.”

Cancer Focus NI has come up with a whole host of fundraising ideas. You could wear something pink for a day, week or the whole month and get sponsored. Or you could get together with your friends, family, school, community, group or club to have a catch up over a coffee and some cake with pink icing.

You might organise a BBQ or a girly night in with a movie, snacks and something strawberry flavoured to sip on, or go all out and book a local hall or hotel for an In Pink party.

Among the events the charity is organising is a fun Pink Colour Run at Victoria Park, Belfast, on Sunday, October 30. Check the Cancer Focus NI website for more details.

If you’d like to organise an IN Pink event, get your fundraising pack at  www.cancerfocusni.org, call our fundraising team on 028 9066 3281 or email fundraising@cancerfocusni.org.

If you’re worried about cancer call the Cancer Focus NI free Nurseline on 0800 783 3339.