A Winton mum-of-two is calling on Southlanders to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this May to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

Lynne Laverty was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in late 2008 at the age of 41.

She faced a mastectomy, chemotherapy, 12 months of the targeted therapy Herceptin, and radiation treatment. She still remains on hormone-blocking therapy today.

“Although I was scared beyond belief, I had two beautiful daughters – aged 9 and 12 at the time – and I fully intended to be here to see them grow up,” says Laverty.

Sixteen years later, Laverty is hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast, driven by the desire to spread awareness about the importance of early detection.

“I never checked my breasts because I never thought breast cancer would happen to me, but it’s so important to know what’s normal for you."

"I’ve drilled the message into my daughters that early detection gives you the best chance for the best outcome.”

Laverty and her friend Maree hosted a Pink Ribbon afternoon tea at Maree’s house (held in March as she’ll be overseas during May), with 20 of their friends.

“You don’t need to have loads of people, and it can be anything you want it to be. Any amount raised is a good thing, and Breast Cancer Foundation provides resources to help you with organising.

“It’s so important to get together and share knowledge because breast cancer can and does happen to anybody."

"Everyone knows someone who’s been through it, I think that’s why so many people were happy to come along and donate. I love the community aspect of it,” she asaid.

Pink Ribbon Breakfast is Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s biggest fundraising campaign, with money raised going towards supporting patients, ground-breaking research and education campaigns to promote the importance of early detection.

The Foundation’s chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, said the charity couldn’t run its programmes without the help of generous Kiwis like Lynne hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast.

“As a charity that doesn’t receive any government funding, we are completely reliant on wonderful people like Lynne who support us."

3,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand each year.

“Our goal is to make sure none of these women have to die from breast cancer and the more people we can encourage to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast in Southland, the sooner we can beat breast cancer, together,” Rayner said.

Pink Ribbon Breakfast Day is 22 May, but events can be held any time from March to June. Once registered, people will be sent a free host kit with ideas and resources to get them started.

For more information and to register to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast, visit pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz