This month one of the biggest fundraising campaigns happens in New Zealand for an illness that touches many of our lives. Pink Ribbon Breakfast, a fundraiser organised by Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand (BCFNZ) raises money for programmes supporting breast cancer patients with free and practical services, including a nurse advice line, counselling and physiotherapy, ground-breaking research, clinical trials and education campaigns.
The educational campaigns promote the importance of early detection and include the BCFNZ Pink Campervans which travel the country spreading breast health information to the regions.
The brekkies are wonderful events. Everybody likes a bit of pink! These breakfasts provide an opportunity to get a bunch of ‘gal friends’ together, make some delicious food to share and gather a crowd together for a very worthy cause.
My sister Nicki Sunderland has resorted to wearing pink much of the time (well, on special occasions mainly). In 2021 my family lost a special brother (and son) to bowel cancer. Ever since Craig left us (at 51 years of age) my younger sister loves to dress in pink clothing, wear a pink band on her wrist and just be a little bit more colourful for the cause.
The host with the most! This could be you, helping the cause by organising a Pink Ribbon breakfast. After signing up, you receive a host kit to get you started. This kit will provide you with everything you need to make hosting your occasion easy, such as pink serviettes, cute pink bunting to hang. They also send education resources, personalised posters, bookmarks, and tent cards with information about how to check your breasts. Plus, sponsored goodies from Griffins, Munchh! and Ma Baker to add to your selection of eats. Do not forget to chill that pink bubbly rose wine to fill the champagne glasses with!
Almost 10 years ago at the end of 2015 my personal journey with cancer meant I did not have a choice about the kind of treatment I received. Although it was not breast cancer, I certainly understand about the type of treatment that is given to cancer sufferers. Radiation and chemotherapy come with debilitating side effects. My support came from family and close friends as all the treatment I received was not funded. Fortunately, I had health insurance.
A few locals are holding small events across the North Shore to help fundraise in order to help their own friends and family who have experienced this illness. Ann Tuxford and good friend Jenny Mills are hosting a big event for the community of Greenhithe this year. It is a private event in the local community hall. Back in 2023 they held their first fundraiser in Ann’s home with forty friends who attended the Pink Ribbon breakfast. Ann’s son and a friend were on hand to make everyone a steaming cup of coffee for breakfast. In the lead-up to the day, pink bunting was hung, the pink cupcakes were made, art was donated and tastefully displayed in the lounge ready for the ‘auction’.
The morning was fun and fruitful; together the ladies raised around $5000 for the foundation. Ann and Jenny, who met at book club many years ago, have become great friends and have collaborated to host these parties. They enjoyed the event in 2023 so much that they are hosting a bigger one this year, with the aim of gathering even more funds. The community is right behind them – the Greenhithe Residents Association has loaned the community hall at no charge for the whole afternoon.
Ann’s sister Kathy, who lives in Hawaii, has experienced breast cancer (she had all her treatment in the USA and is now doing quite well). Jenny has had two cousins pass away from breast cancer and two cousins are fortunate to have recovered after having successful treatment. For this reason, it is important to Ann and Jenny to fundraise for the cause.
Many of us have a journey or know someone personally that has had a run in with this terrible illness. So many people’s lives have been touched by friends and family who have experienced cancer in some way. Every dollar that is raised will fund education, research and patient support, helping bring deaths to a minimum.
BCFNZ, the leading charity supporting Kiwis affected by breast cancer, has been running the Pink Ribbon Breakfast campaign for the past 15 years. Ah-Leen Rayner, chief executive of BCFNZ, says, “Pink Ribbon Breakfast is the ultimate show of support for the 3,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Aotearoa every year. Thousands of big-hearted Kiwis come together at unique events all over the country to raise vital funds for research, education, and patient support.”
An example of how the funds are used is a new clinical trial started in December 2024 by Dr Remy Lim who is the medical director at Mercy Radiology. This was made possible with a $550,000 research grant from BCFNZ. The trial is being conducted with patients from New Zealand hospitals.
If you are thinking about hosting a Pink Ribbon breakfast in 2025 you still have time. The official date is Thursday 22 May, but you can host your breakfast anytime that suits you in May. BCFNZ has an excellent website that makes it very easy to find information. If you are not in a position to host a breakfast, find one and get involved.
For more information visit: breastcancerfoundation.org.nz
Why host a Pink Ribbon breakfast at work?
Who doesn't love an excuse to get together for some afternoon snacks or a tasty, shared lunch?
So why not harness your team's exuberance for fun non-work events – and support crucial research to help achieve zero deaths from breast cancer.
