Step out for breast cancer support

Heroes is the theme for the annual ASB Women's Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness in Tauranga this year and the song 'Hero' will be sung by Leilani Taula as a tribute to every woman who fights breast cancer.

During October Leilani is donating 20 per cent of any sales of her CD to the Breast Cancer Support service.

The event has come a long way since it started in 1993, when 800 people took part. In 2010 there were 5000.

"Similar numbers (this year) would be just fantastic, but the emphasis of this event is on breast cancer awareness and a demonstration of support for those who have been touched by breast cancer," organiser Iris Thomas says.

"This event is number 10, so it's pretty special - and, I hope, a little different."

The aims of the walk are to have fun, celebrate life, support someone you know with breast cancer, raise awareness of breast cancer and raise money for the local breast cancer support service.

The Bay of Plenty Pipes and Drums will lead off the women as they walk from The Strand and return, and along the route Tauranga Samba will spur them on.

A Pak 'n' Save wine tasting station on Grey Street, about 1km from the finish, will see More FM staff on hand to entertain the crowd and hand out the tasters.

"And if anyone wants to do busking out on the course, they will be most welcome," Iris says.

At about 5.20pm Leilani will lead the on-stage action when she sings as candles are lit in memory of those who have died of breast cancer.

Flicker Candle Emporium is providing pink candles, which will be handed out by Tauranga Fire Service personnel to each women as they finish the walk. These candles can be lit that evening by individual women to remember those who have died, or to celebrate breast cancer survival. "This will be a wonderful spectacle with a powerful atmosphere," Iris says.

Black Stick Olympian Gemma Flynn will be on stage to continue the hero theme, and children from Otumoetai Primary School will sing New Zealand's Olympic song Stand Tall.

"While directed at our Olympic heroes, the words can equally apply to those fighting breast cancer," Iris says.

Entry is by donation of $5, which goes to the Tauranga Breast Cancer Support Service. The parking building will be free from 5.30pm.

• 
  Entry can be made at any ASB branch or at Smiths Sports Shoes, Grey Street, up to the start of the event. For more information, phone Allison 5790668 or Iris 5771765.
• 
  ASB Women's Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness, 6pm, October 24, Masonic Park, The Strand.

FACTS

More than 2400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in New Zealand. One in every hundred is male and 600 women, or two a day, will die from the disease.

Early detection offers the best chance of a cure. You must be breast aware. Breast cancer affects the young and old - it does not discriminate.

Women aged 45-69 are eligible for free mammograms through Breast Screen Aotearoa, so get enrolled.