A breast cancer survivor from Invercargill is urging people in Southland to support Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s Pink Ribbon Street Appeal on 28 and 29 October.

Lynette Crossley was diagnosed with breast cancer in August. She went through surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and now remains on hormone treatment.

Lynette says: "My granddaughters were my reason for wanting to fight this awful disease. I'm now volunteering because I am so grateful to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ for the research they fund and all the advice and support I've received. I hope many others will get involved locally to support this important cause."

Lynette Crossley  

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for New Zealand women under 65 and every year around 240 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the Te Whatu Ora Southern area.

Each October, around 10,000 volunteers take to the streets to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s work in research, education, advocacy and patient support. The charity is still looking for volunteers to collect across Southland and the deadline to sign up is midday on 27 October.

Ah-Leen Rayner, chief executive of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, says: “The Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is one of our biggest fundraisers but last year it couldn’t go ahead in many places due to Covid-19 restrictions. As a charity that receives no Government funding, that’s taken a huge toll on our programmes at a time when we’re facing increasing demand for our support services.

“It’s only thanks to the goodwill of New Zealanders that we can be there for patients during their treatment and recovery, fund innovative research to find new breakthroughs and educate women about the importance of early detection. So please, show your support by giving two hours to shake a pink bucket, or donate generously to a Pink Ribbon collector near you.”

People can sign up for a two-hour collection shift in their area at pinkribbonvolunteer.org.nz.