A breast cancer survivor from Katikati is urging people in the Bay of Plenty to support Breast Cancer Foundation NZ's Pink Ribbon Street Appeal on October 28-29.

Jenny Webb was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, and she's also seen her sister and many of her friends go through the disease too.

'I paddled in Wellington in the first mixed cancer dragon boat in the Wellington dragon boating competition,” says Jenny. 'I was still having treatment at the time, and I had amazing support from others in the team.

'I made many friends, but unfortunately I've been to many of their funerals. It's for them that the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is so very important to me, and I'm encouraging others to get involved too.”

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for New Zealand women aged under 65 – every year around 190 women are diagnosed with it in the Bay of Plenty.

Volunteers Talia Cooper and Geneva Gill. Photo: Supplied.

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.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner 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.