Around 3500 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand each year.

Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga walks in honour of them all and to celebrate life.

The current Covid environment means that this year, Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga is transforming the annual Hot Pink Walk so that on October 20, you can do it 'in your bubble”.

This year, the community will be walking in Streaks of Pink and not Streets of Pink.

Get together with those who you can bubble with and walk for breast cancer in your local park, beach or reserve.

The Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga Trust employs support workers who have been through breast cancer themselves, and is governed by a wonderful group who give their time, passion and expertise voluntarily.

Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga service manager Helen Alice says this year, due to 3500 people being diagnosed annually, the aim is to walk 3500km collectively.

'I think people are looking for something they can do that doesn't involve large crowds,” says Helen, 'so people who are regularly working or socialising together – get out there and have some fun with it.

'We've been here since 1991 and our model is around people who have been through breast cancer before, helping people who are going through breast cancer currently.

'It's a peer support model. We do not give out medical advice or service, but provide practical and emotional support for people who are going through breast cancer.

'Emotional support means different things for different people. We do phone support, group support and also provide information about exercise programmes.

'We provide oncology massage, which is an approved form of massage that helps relieve stress in our clients.

'We also provide a counselling service when clients need a little more support than just chatting with somebody that has had it.

'We are not government or DHB funded. Our funding only comes from grants, our own fundraising or donations, so we're very much supported by the community that we're active in.

'If it wasn't for the support that we get in this community, we wouldn't be here.

'We service the Western Bay of Plenty from Maketū through to Waihi Beach.”

Register your Hot Pink Bubble Walk and let Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga know how many kilometres your group is doing so they can add it to their target.

Entry is by koha - and they really appreciate your donation as all funds raised are spent right here in the Western Bay of Plenty to support those with breast cancer.

So get your pink on and let's see Streaks of Pink everywhere on October 20!

To sign up, visit: www.hotpinkwalk.co.nz