Iona feeds the cancer fight with $4k from pink brekkie

Iona old girl Heather Shotter (left), who introduced the Pink Ribbon Breakfast to New Zealand, with Iona Old Girl Association president Penny Manahi.

Breast cancer research has received a $4000 boost, thanks to a breakfast at Iona College.

More than 100 parents, old girls, and friends of the college enjoyed a Pink Ribbon Breakfast recently to support the Breast Cancer Foundation. Over $4000 was raised - $600 of that by students through the sale of pink hair ribbons.

Heather Shotter introduced the idea in 2008 as executive director of the Breast Cancer Foundation. The breakfasts began with magazine advertising and the opportunity to register online, and she said she was delighted it had grown "with such momentum" over the years.

"People were encouraged to get together with family, friends and colleagues - raise vital funds and remind us that healthy lifestyle choices have a big impact on a person's health," she said.

Event organiser Pip Thompson said, "It is a sad fact that cancer will affect many of our loved ones now and in the future.

"We feel honoured to be able to do our part in supporting efforts to raise funds for research in the hope of one day finding a cure."

Iona Old Girl and breast cancer survivor Anna Williams also joined the breakfast. She shared her journey and promoted a message of proactive "total health".

Money raised this year will go towards breast cancer research, with a focus on support for clinical trials, immunotherapy, preventing the spread of cancer, improving clinical practice for better patient outcomes, and treatments for advanced breast cancer.