Gisborne shines pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Gisborne Town Clock — otherwise known as the Robinson Memorial Town Clock after the 1891 to 1933 town clerk — has turned pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is still seeking volunteers in Gisborne to collect for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal. For more information on this and other ways to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/bcam Picture supplied

The Gisborne Town Clock has turned pink this month to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

From October 9 to October 31, the Town Clock joins more than 60 of New Zealand’s landmarks, streets and prominent buildings in the Global Illumination campaign to shine a spotlight on the importance of detecting breast cancer early.

The campaign runs throughout the whole month of October and ends with Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s annual Pink Ribbon Street Appeal.

On October 27 and 28, 10,000 volunteers will be out in force throughout the country collecting donations for breast cancer research, education, and patient support.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, says October is the time to show support for the 3500 Kiwis diagnosed with breast cancer every year and take action to end deaths from breast cancer.

“Our aim is to make all of Aotearoa pink throughout October — it’s a key way for us to get people talking and thinking about breast cancer, and this year we’re highlighting how breast cancer is survivable if diagnosed early enough.

“Having the whole country lit up in pink is a spectacular way to help us spread that message.

“Everyday Kiwis play a vital role in our mission to stop breast cancer deaths. Every donation made through our street appeal makes a huge difference as we receive no government funding for our life-saving work,” said Ms Rayner.