This October, Invercargill will shine pink to show its support and spread hope for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Gala Street Fountain, Band Rotunda and Feldwick Street Gates are joining more than 90 sites around the country lighting up in pink as part of the Global Illuminations campaign.

This stunning display is helping Breast Cancer Foundation NZ to remind New Zealanders that early detection is the best way to save lives from breast cancer.

The campaign also illuminates the charity’s annual Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, taking place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October. Thousands of volunteers will be out in force shaking pink buckets to collect donations for breast cancer research, education campaigns and patient support programmes.

Breast Cancer Foundation’s chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, says: “This October, we’re calling on New Zealanders to back our vision of stopping deaths from breast cancer. While most people diagnosed with breast cancer survive and go on to live long, fulfilling lives, we still lose 650 Kiwis every year to the disease – our mission is to change that.

“With support from the people of Southland, and right across the country, we know we can make a bigger difference. Please take a moment to take care of your breast health, or remind the women you love to do so, and get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in any way you can.”

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is urging all women to be ‘breast aware’ to give themselves the best chance of surviving breast cancer – that means getting to know the normal look and feel of their breasts, regularly touching and looking for any changes, and getting changes checked by a GP as soon as possible.

For women aged 45-69, free mammograms are available through BreastScreen Aotearoa every two years.

The Foundation is still looking for volunteers to take part in its Pink Ribbon Street Appeal. For more information on this and other ways to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/bcam