Breast Cancer Awareness Month set to turn Whanganui pink

The Royal Whanganui Opera House is one of several buildings around Whanganui that will light up pink on October 17-18.

Some of Whanganui’s most prominent landmarks will light up pink as part of International Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The pink-wash of landmarks across the globe this month aims to bring attention to breast cancer. In New Zealand, more than 90 sites will turn pink in line with the Breast Cancer Foundation’s annual Pink Ribbon Street Appeal fundraising campaign, with collection volunteers needed in Whanganui.

The Royal Whanganui Opera House, Durie Hill Memorial Tower, War Memorial Centre, and Virginia Lake fountain will be illuminated in pink lights on October 17-18.

“This October, we’re calling on New Zealanders to back our vision of stopping deaths from breast cancer,” Breast Cancer Foundation chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner said.

In the Whanganui area, about 60 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Rayner said despite advancements in care allowing many to survive their diagnosis, more than 650 still died from breast cancer in New Zealand each year.

“Our mission is to change that,” she said.

The Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is the foundation’s longest-running annual fundraising campaign. Thousands of volunteers with pink donation buckets will line New Zealand streets over the two days.

The donations go directly towards breast cancer research, patient support programmes and education campaigns.

The foundation said volunteers were still needed for the Whanganui region to work in two-hour shifts over the two days.

“We don’t receive any Government funding, so we rely on the generosity of incredible volunteers to keep our vital work going,” Rayner said.

“Giving up just two hours of your time is a small act that has a massive impact.”

Volunteers can sign up on the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal website until midday on October 16.

“Every dollar raised goes towards our mission to stop New Zealanders dying from breast cancer,” Rayner said.