A Bay of Plenty woman is heeding the call to “kick breast cancer to the kerb” this October by collecting for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, and she’s encouraging others to take part too.

Diane Rogers will be one of 10,000 volunteers hitting the streets all over New Zealand on Friday, October 27, and Saturday, October 28, raising vital funds for breast cancer research, education and patient support.

Diane was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 when a routine mammogram picked up a very small lump. Her cancer was in an unusual position, and so Diane considers herself lucky that it was found at all.

“Please can I implore women to check their breasts and don’t overlook having mammograms.”

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is still looking for more people in the Bay of Plenty to sign up for a two-hour collection shift.

The Foundation’s chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, says: “The Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is one of our biggest fundraisers and it couldn’t go ahead without amazing volunteers like Diane.

“As a charity doing vital work to stop Kiwis dying of breast cancer, we rely entirely on the goodwill of generous New Zealanders. By contributing just two hours of your time, you’ll be making a massive difference to help us to kick breast cancer to the kerb this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

Every year, around 190 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the Bay of Plenty region.

All of the money raised from the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal goes towards Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s work to advance breast cancer research, educate Kiwis about the importance of early detection, and support patients through their treatment and recovery.

The deadline to sign up as a volunteer for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is midday on Thursday, October 26. 

Visit pinkribbonvolunteer.org.nz for more information.