By STACEY BODGER
Auckland's Sky Tower became the first monument in the world to be lit up in pink to highlight the fight against breast cancer.
Similar ceremonies were staged progressively yesterday as darkness fell on landmarks in 21 other countries, including New York's Empire State Building, Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Obelisk in Paris.
The campaign, Global Illuminations, was coordinated by cosmetics giant Estee Lauder to draw public attention to breast cancer. This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Actress Liz Hurley was on hand to light up the Empire State Building.
Auckland mother Janette Boroughs was chosen to light up the Sky Tower because she represents the growing group of younger women diagnosed with breast cancer.
New Zealand has the highest rate of the disease in the world, with one in 10 women being affected.
Mrs Boroughs was aged 38 when she had a mastectomy, breast reconstruction and a course of chemotherapy two years ago.
"It was only the fact that I chose to have early mammograms that I believe I'm still here," she said.
"I'm proof that breast cancer is a real risk, whatever your age."
The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation used the ceremony to announce a five-year, $3 million sponsorship from ASB Bank.
Foundation board member Dr Belinda Scott said it had relied on small sponsorships and donations.
Now it hoped to begin research on why younger women were being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Women having children later in life was a possible cause, she said. An emphasis on early detection in New Zealand was another.
While the Government provided free mammograms for women from the age of 50, Dr Scott recommended women have checks from age 40.
A register of Auckland women affected by the disease had been set up. Information collected would be studied to provide some of the first substantive research on breast cancer in New Zealand.
The ASB Bank is selling pink breast cancer awareness ribbons throughout the month to raise money for the foundation.
Tower in the pink in fight against cancer
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