Today, we will wear it pink for Breast Cancer
By Marie Flügge
Breast Cancer Now’s annual Wear It Pink 2022 challenge is back to encourage people to adopt a pink dress code this Friday 21st of October. This day marks the National of Mammography, a process which helps in the early detection of breast cancer and other breast-related diseases.
Already in 2020, over 7,200 people participated and helped raise over £1.3 m altogether. Source: Breast Cancer Now
Breast Cancer Now – one of the country’s leading breast cancer research and support charities – dares everyone to wear pink clothes to promote awareness of the disease and incite more women to check their bodies. Thousands across Scotland and the UK are expected to take part in the challenge this year.
Already in 2020, over 7,200 people participated and helped raise over £1.3 m altogether. According to the charity’s annual report, “supporters wore pink at work, organized virtual quizzes and socially distanced gatherings, and even created fantastic pink face masks.” The Wear It Pink digital media campaign also achieved a whopping audience reach of over 5 million, and the campaign’s homepage received about 34,000 visits during that same year.
To this day, breast cancer is still the UK’s most prevalent cancer. Each year, about 55,000 people are diagnosed with the disease. Although the disease affects mostly women, men are also victims of breast cancer as about 350 of them were diagnosed last year.
Source: Breast Cancer Now
Despite lockdowns and social distancing restrictions that have fragilized the charity’s expenditure, communities around the country are “full of unstoppable individuals” who continuously showed their support, from “sponsored walks and fitness challenges to making and selling crafts or holding tabletop sales.”
Breast Cancer Now provides free breast cancer information and support for victims across the UK to ensure that “everyone who is diagnosed with breast cancer not only lives but is supported to live well”. This includes a helpline, a website, publications, and practical and emotional support.
The organization believes that “23% of UK breast cancer cases could be preventable through lifestyle changes” and relies heavily on social media campaigns throughout the year to incite people to change their lifestyles and increase physical activity. Last June, the organisation launched the “We’re here” campaign, which features 14 portraits of individuals involved with Breast Cancer Now. From campaigners and fundraisers to a psychotherapist and a nurse, each of them shares their personal experience of working with breast cancer victims and how they are supporting breast cancer victims.
Rachael Franklin, Director of Fundraising, Communications and Engagement at Breast Cancer Now, said: “We want to get the message out loud and clear that if you’ve been affected by breast cancer you’re not alone – we’re here for you, every step of the way.”
Source: Breast Cancer Now
