October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), with events happening around the country and plenty of ways to get involved – from being “breast aware” to helping to raise vital funds for breast cancer research, education, and patient support.
Pink Ribbon Street Appeal: Grab a bucket, get dressed up in pink, and join thousands of volunteers collecting around New Zealand on 28 and 29 October.
Pink for a Day: Join hundreds of workplaces that go Pink For a Day during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and start conversations about breast health and wellbeing.
Pink Ribbon Walk: Walk 5km or 10km for the ones you love in Christchurch (30 October), Auckland (6 November), or Wellington (13 November).
Shop for good: Buy a Pink Product from one of BCAM’s sponsors (including Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, ghd, Sealy, and Griffin’s), where a portion of sales go towards Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s life-saving work.
Visit www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz to see the different ways you can make a difference this October.
BCAM is an important month for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, which receives no Government funding and relies entirely on donations from the public and its partners to fund its life-saving work.
Some facts and figures:
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer for Kiwi women and the third most common cancer overall
- More than 3500 women across the country are diagnosed with breast cancer every year
- That’s nine women a day: one of them will be Māori, one of them will be under the age of 45
- Every year 25 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand too
- We still lose more than 650 Kiwi women a year to breast cancer
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for NZ women under 65
- Breast cancer in younger women is less common, but it does tend to be more aggressive. Of the 3500 women in NZ diagnosed every year, nearly 400 of them will be aged under 45
- Wāhine Māori are 35% more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer and 33% more likely to die
- Pasifika women are 20% more likely to be diagnosed and 52% more likely to die
If you can’t participate in any of the events below, there are also a host of businesses and brands joining the October mission around breast cancer awareness and fundraising.
The exceptional shade of Blush Pink from BLUNT umbrellas is available on both the light stick Coupe model, as well as the collapsible Metro model. Throughout October, $10 from the sale of every BLUNT Blush, Original Pink, or the BLUNT x Liz Harry collab umbrella will be donated directly to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
The ghd limited edition pink collection consists of the platinum+TM styler, ghd heliosTM hair dryer, ghd gold® styler, and for the first time, the limited edition glide hot brush. The 2022 vibrant orchid pink collection has been designed to include a self-check reminder so whenever you style your hair you remember to TAKE CONTROL NOW and check your boobs. $20 from every ghd pink purchase goes to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Available in salons, selected retailers, and online.
The limited edition La Mer Crème de laCream (15ml) is the moisturiser that started it all. With a heart of cell-renewing Miracle BrothTM and antioxidant Lime Tea, this ultra-rich cream delivers healing moisture, daily protection, and energised natural repair. La Mer will donate 100% of the purchase price during October to BCFNZ.
Estée Lauder limited edition Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum (50ml) is a fast-penetrating serum that helps reduce the look of multiple signs of ageing caused by the environmental assaults of modern life. Estée Lauder is donating 20% of the purchase of its limited edition bottle to BCFNZ throughout October.
Great skin, great cause. More than moisture: Clinique’s refreshing fan-favourite hydrator, in a limited-edition design to honour and support breast cancer awareness. Clinique will donate $10 from the purchase price of its Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Limited Edition (50ml) to BCFNZ.
Bobbi Brown’s limited edition Proud to be Pink Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss Duo features two Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss Shades: Free Spirit and Crushed Oil Infused Gloss Shimmer in Bellini. This non-sticky, moisturising, and ultra-shiny lip gloss glides on providing a burst of colour while a blend of nutrient-rich botanical oils offers a cushiony, comfortable feel. Bobbi Brown will donate 20% of the purchase price to BCFNZ.
Featuring a limited edition bottle design, Jo Malone London will donate $50 from the purchase price of its Peony & Blush Suede Cologne (100ml) to BCFNZ. Enjoy the scent of peonies in voluptuous bloom, exquisitely fragile, with the flirtatious juicy bite of red apple, and sensuality of soft, blush suede.
Some other brands helping support research and funding around Breast Cancer Awareness around the globe are:
RevitaLash Cosmetics has a long and personal history with Breast Cancer Awareness. For the month of October, every Revitalash pink product sold will see a one-month supply of RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner, RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner, or the new RevitaLash Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Conditioner donated to Look Good Feel Better NZ.
RevitaLash Cosmetics New Zealand is also planning to hold its annual ‘Eat Drink Pink’ Fundraising Event on October 30 to fundraise for local charity Pinc and Steel, which provides support to people affected by cancer with their cancer treatment rehabilitation programmes.
The limited-edition Pink Sleeve products, RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner and RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner (are available in selected spa and salon partners nationwide and online at revitalash.co.nz from 1 October 2022.
LSKD may be based across the ditch in Australia, but the sportswear brand has a strong following here in New Zealand also. Last year LSKD raised $25,000 for The National Breast Cancer Foundation (Australia), which since 1994 has funded $190M into world-class 575 research projects. We’re fans of brands and organisations joining forces globally to share the message around breast cancer awareness. LSKD’s newest Breast Cancer Collection is available online now, with 5% of all October sales donated to NBCF.
Images supplied