Bell sounds for breakfast fundraiser

GET ON BOARD: Pam Fowler, Wendy Davidson, Christine Brewster and Doug Davidson at a Pink ribbon breast cancer awareness fundraiser breakfast last year at Dish Cafe Masterton.

Registrations are now open for Pink Ribbon Breakfast.

Lorraine Downes is asking Wairarapa residents to invite their friends or colleagues to breakfast in May. The NZ Breast Cancer Foundation hopes to top last year's total of 14 breakfasts in the region.

Proceeds from this year's Pink Ribbon Breakfasts will go towards breast cancer research, including new drug development, research into the genetic factors that contribute to cancer spread, and support for clinical trials that provide access to new and expensive treatments.

"Research is key to improving Kiwi women's survival," said Lorraine Downes, who is an NZBCF ambassador and former Miss Universe.

Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and underwent successful treatment for the disease.

"The advances that saved my mum started with research projects like the ones the NZBCF is funding today. By hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast, you'll help save more women down the track."

Statistics show 73 per cent of Kiwi breast cancer patients are disease-free 10 years after diagnosis.

In Wairarapa, 30 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. More than 600 New Zealand women die of the disease.

Last year there were 2400 Pink Ribbon Breakfasts around the country.

-For more information visit www.pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz