Wear Pink, Raise Money, Save Lives

A letter to the editor from Addie Mitchell, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Now.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is fast-approaching this October, which means the return of wear it pink – Breast Cancer Now’s biggest and brightest fundraising event on Friday 20 October.

Every 10 minutes, someone in the UK hears the words ‘you have breast cancer’. As a specialist breast cancer nurse, I’ve spent 12 years speaking to the people affected; hearing women and men talk through the devastating diagnosis we all dread but they received. I’ve also spoken to the friends and family swept up in cancer’s dizzying vortex.

I’ve answered questions, been the listening ear to someone’s darkest fears, and allayed all-consuming worries. I’ve seen the many ways this relentless disease can turn someone’s life upside down, which is why I’m calling on you to help raise the funds that will enable Breast Cancer Now to achieve its vision that by 2050 everyone with breast cancer will live and be supported to live well.

By taking part in wear it pink, you could help fund a life-saving research breakthrough. You could give someone information they can rely on when they need it most. Or drive forward vital campaigning, to make sure everyone living with breast cancer gets the best possible treatment and care.

Together, we’ve been wearing it pink for over 20 years. We’ve dressed up, baked, quizzed and pulled off all kinds of incredible sponsored challenges. We’ve had a lot of fun and raised over £39 million in the process. We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved together, but we can’t stop there. People affected by breast cancer need us – and they need you too.

However you decide to fundraise, you will help make sure that our vital support services and world-class research continue.

So, on Friday 20 October, wear it pink, raise money and help us fund life-changing breast cancer research and support. Join us and sign up today at wearitpink.org.