Perfectly Pink: Local cancer charity celebrates 10th anniversary of breast cancer awareness fun run
Cancer Focus NI are set to paint Titanic Slipways pink on Sunday 12th October 2025 with the return of the charity’s iconic breast cancer awareness month 5k fun run. Celebrating its 10th year, the leading cancer charity is welcoming individuals, workplaces, schools, groups, and even dogs, to sign up and get covered in pink powder for a fantastic cause.
The family friendly day out is the charity’s flagship fundraising event, which last year raised £110,000 and helped provide over 2,000 hours of life-changing support services to the 1 in 8 local women in Northern Ireland who have been devastated by a breast cancer diagnosis. The charity’s breast cancer services include counselling, family support, bra and swimwear fitting, and specialist support groups. This year, the 10th anniversary race is proudly sponsored by b bold, Dale Farm Sukie, and Northstone.
The charity’s mission is to support local people on their cancer journey. Someone who knows the importance of support after a breast cancer diagnosis, is Cara Fenton. Cara was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at just 33 years old. She said: “Until you hear the words ‘you have cancer’ you don’t fully understand the kind of support you’ll need and how traumatic the experience is. I was numb. It just didn’t feel real; I’m a healthy woman in my early thirties, I have so many plans for me and my family’s future, and it felt like it was all taken away in an instant.”
She continued: “My friends and family are amazing, but there’s this assumption that everything is back to normal now your treatment is over, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I feel lucky to know I can pick up the phone and call Cancer Focus NI to support me with whatever I am needing in that moment. I recently went on a weekend retreat to Donegal thanks to Cancer Focus NI and was given the opportunity to explore my feelings with other survivors. This really helped me remember that I’m not alone on my cancer journey.
Maeve Colgan, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Cancer Focus NI, said: “It’s hard to believe it has been 10 years since our first Pink Run, and it’s incredibly emotional to reflect on how far we’ve come since then. What started out as a few packets of pink powder and around fifty participants, has turned into a sell-out event with over 1000 runners. It’s a true testament to our supporters and corporate sponsors that we are able to continue to support local women in their time of need.”
Speaking about the importance of supporting the charity’s 10th anniversary:
Claire Hale, Senior Brand Manager at Dale Farm, commented:
“We are proud to return as a title sponsor of the Pink Run for the third year, and honoured to stand alongside our community in supporting local women and families affected by breast cancer. This event is more than a run — it’s a celebration of hope, courage, and togetherness. We’ve seen first-hand the dedication and passion the Cancer Focus NI team puts into making it so special, and we look forward to another inspiring day on the Slipways.”
Emily Henderson, Customer Relations and Marketing Executive at b bold, said: “Pink Run 2025 marks another exciting chapter in our growing partnership with Cancer Focus NI. Over the past year, we’ve built something truly special together, united by a shared mission to empower women and raise vital funds for those affected by cancer. We are so proud to be one of the headline sponsors of an event that means so much to us.”
Miranda Mitchell, Marketing Executive at Northstone, said:
“Northstone is honoured to be a sponsor for the Pink Run 2025, a celebration of resilience and community spirit. Together, we can make a profound impact in the fight against breast cancer and support those in need.”
Lauren Clarke, local fitness and running influencer and Cancer Focus NI ambassador encourages anyone who is thinking about signing up to give it a go, she noted: “The atmosphere on the day is unmatched. Everyone is just brimming with excitement, you see the most amazing costumes and the warm-up with Fitness Freddie in a sea of families, friends, kids and dogs. It is just next level fun, and that’s before the run even begins. Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, so hearing so many different stories from women who have battled breast cancer, really drives home what it’s all about. Buy your ticket, you won’t regret it!”
To get your tickets for the Pink Run or to organise your own Go Pink Fundraiser during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit cancerfocusni.org, email fundraising@cancerfocusni.org or call 028 9066 3281. All participants will receive a free t-shirt, special 10th anniversary commemorative medal, fundraising pack, and dedicated fundraiser.
