Bay locals get behind breast cancer charity

Fay Cowan had a double mastectomy in March after losing two sisters and an aunty to breast cancer. Photo / George Novak

When an MRI scan showed Fay Cowan had cancer cells in one of her breasts, she instantly knew she would have them removed. She had already lost two sisters and an aunty to the horrendous disease.

Last night, she walked the streets of Tauranga with thousands of others, dressed in pink for the HOT Pink Walk in support of Breast Cancer Support Service.

Before the walk, crowds displaying every shade of pink warmed up dancing Zumba. Richard Peeters and his son Will released some doves before a minute's silence was held. The pair lost their wife/mother Jen to breast cancer last year. Then Tauranga locals walked to show their support.

Breast Cancer Support Service supports about 200 women in the Bay each year, offering those diagnosed with breast cancer advice, support, information sessions, massages, helping hands and much more.

They have an annual operating budget of $160,000 - with last night's walk being one of the main fundraisers.

Ms Cowan was first diagnosed with breast cancer in February this year. She had a double mastectomy in March.

"I said 'get them off'. It was an easy decision for me because I made the decision years ago, watching my sisters die. If I got it [breast cancer], they are both off," she told the Bay of Plenty Times at Red Square last night.

Ms Cowan lost one sister in 2005 and another in 2011.

"I went all out to make sure I carried on living. That's what I said to my surgeon - 'I choose to live. I want them off'."

Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga manager Lea Lehndorf said the walk was a huge success.

"It's really uplifting for them to see there are so many people who are supportive and they are there to celebrate those who have survived and honour those who have been taken," she said.

"It's a celebration, it demonstrates a lot of support and creates a lot of heightened awareness. We are here and we are a local service. We are on the ground and we are working with survivors and those newly diagnosed."

Mrs Lehndorf said the event would not be a success without the support of the community.

The dressing up was a fun side and every year there was a costume she had never seen, she said. "The fact that everybody does give it that effort makes it that much more special."

-For more photos from last night's HOT Pink Walk, see page 10.