Pretty in pink to support breast cancer research

Oct 26, 2004

October is internationally recognised as Breast Cancer Month and Holly Tootell, an Associate Lecturer with the University of Wollongong’s School of Information Technology and Computer Science (SITACS), hosted a Pink Ribbon Breakfast for Breast Cancer Research yesterday (Monday, October 25) to raise awareness about the importance of research to raise vital funds.

Over 11,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Australia and many others – partners, families, friends and work colleagues – are also directly affected by this disease.

The Pink Ribbon Breakfast was held to celebrate the progress so far in the search for a cure to the disease and to raise funds, awareness and support.

And the dress code for the event?

Pink, pink and more pink!

Between the breakfast and a Pink Morning Tea that was held at SITACS, $315 was raised and will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organisation established in 1994 to promote and support vital research in all aspects of breast cancer.

To date, the Foundation has allocated over $12 million to a large number of breast cancer research projects across Australia into the treatment, prevention and detection of the disease.

A total of $200,000 was raised at the 2003 breakfasts across Australia.

“It was a great success and a really fun morning. By simply buying a pink ribbon, people were being given the chance to make a difference in another woman’s life,” Holly said.

“A local GP, Dr Saroja Gunasekera, was at the breakfast and she presented some interesting breast cancer facts and statistics. She also spoke about the importance and 'how to' of self-examinations.”

-RP