People in the Bay of Plenty are being encouraged to sign up as a volunteers for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s Pink Ribbon Street Appeal this October.

Volunteer collectors are needed on October 18 and 19 to raise funds for breast cancer research, education and patient support programmes.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, said the donations made to the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal are vital to continue the charity’s work.

“We don’t receive any government funding, so we rely entirely on the generosity of our incredible volunteers and donors to keep our vital programmes going.

“Breast cancer affects one in nine New Zealand women, but the good news is it can be successfully treated if detected early. The money raised through the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal will help to support patients going through treatment and make sure more women can get an earlier diagnosis.”

Around 190 women are diagnosed with breast cancer across Bay of Plenty every year. The survival rate for breast cancer if diagnosed early is 92%.

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.

To sign up for a two-hour collection shift for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, visit pinkribbonvolunteer.org.nz