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Irish Cancer Society ‘Paint it Pink’ campaign, to fight breast cancer, kicks off in County Offaly

Posted by on October 1, 2015 · Leave a Comment 

Today is the first day of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Irish Cancer Society is telling everyone that they still need to be breast aware and take care of their health as breast cancer incidence rises by 32% over ten years.[i] Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and while it primarily affects women each year a small number of men are also diagnosed. In 2012 in Offaly 43 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The Irish Cancer Society urges everyone in Offaly to ‘Paint it Pink’ this October and raise vital funds for lifesaving breast cancer research and crucial cancer support services.

Irish Cancer Society ‘Paint it Pink’ campaign, to fight breast cancer, kicks off in County OffalyMark Mellett, Head of Fundraising, Irish Cancer Society said “As cancer incidence increases – so does demand for our services. Each year we have more people looking for support and we are struggling to maintain our existing services. We completely rely on the public to fund these services, many people think we are government funded however over 95% of our income comes from the general public during campaigns like ‘Paint it Pink’.”

“The good news is more people are surviving cancer. Recent figures show that 5 year survival rates for breast cancer are at 85%[ii], however we want people to not only survive cancer but to continue to live full and active lives after their treatment and for many to do this they need support. I am hoping that everyone will get involved and support us by painting an event pink to help the thousands of patients, families and survivors who are affected by breast cancer this year.” He continued.

During October shops, homes, business and towns all over Offaly are painting it pink to raise money and awareness for the Irish Cancer Society. It is a fun way for people to raise money for the Society’s work across breast cancer funding vital research, advocacy and services to those affected by the disease. The campaign is all about organising a big or small event to ‘paint it pink’ during October and raise money to help fund the Irish Cancer Society’s breast cancer services. Friday 2ndmarks ‘Paint it Pink Day’ volunteers in towns around the country will be selling pink ribbons and pins to fight breast cancer.

Why not get involved, join the fight, and paint it pink this October? Hold a pink event, visit www.paintitpink.ie for ideas or more information. You can also make a donation by phone on CallSave 1850 60 60 60 or online at www.paintitpink.ie. To donate €4 now you can text the word Pink to 50300[iii]

The Paint it Pink campaign is kindly supported by Ireland’s largest convenience retailer Centra.

Anyone who is concerned about breast health or breast cancer can speak with a specialist nurse in confidence by calling the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline on Freefone 1800 200 700. (The helpline runs Monday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm, and every Friday from 9am to 5pm.)You can also visit our website www.cancer.ie or email: helpline@irishcancer.ie

Paint it Pink Activity happening around the country

National

  • Paint it Pink Day – Volunteers around the country are taking to the streets on Friday 2nd October to sell pink ribbons and pins
  • Painting the Sun Pink – The Irish Sun is getting a very special guest editor this Friday who is putting breast cancer on the agenda!
  • Social media gets pinked! – Facebook and twitter profiles across the country are also turning pink from today – join them and add our twibbon to your account.
  • Shop Pink – Companies are also painting their products pink or running pink fundraising initiatives to fight breast cancer. Ballyfree Free Range Eggs, Barry’s Tea, Boots Ireland, Centra, the Chanelle Group, Cloud10 Beauty, Dairygold Co-Op, Digiweb, GAA Jewellery, ghd, Kiernan Milling, Prestigious Textiles Ireland / SLX, Tropical Popical and the Zip Yard.
  • Miss You Already – Even Hollywood is turning pink with Drew Barrymore’s and Toni Colette’s new movie Miss You Already. The movie premiere in Ireland was held as part of Paint it Pink
  • Walk the World – Over 200 Centra stores will host a walk in their local community to help raise much needed funds for those affected by breast cancer.   The ‘Walk the World’ initiative aims to get thousands of people to collectively walk 40,075km, the circumference of the earth, on Saturday 17th October with TV presenter Kathryn Thomas. 

Cavan

  • Do you think you have what it takes to be Cavan’s Mr Imperial Night Club? On Saturday the 24th of October, the Imperial Night Club in Cavan will be holding “Mr Imperial Night Club”, a night dedicated to finding the loveliest boy in all of Cavan. The night is in aid of ‘Paint it Pink’ with all proceeds from the night going to the Irish Cancer Society’s breast cancer campaign. Tickets are €15 and are available from the Imperial Bar & Nightclub from 12th September. For more information contact Marion on 087 1038517 or visit http://on.fb.me/1P5uomG

Cork

  • Interested in spending a weekend at a fabulous B&B for a good cause? The ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ Weekend in aid of ‘Paint it Pink’ is just €189 per person sharing including two nights B&B, Champagne Banquet on the Saturdaynight, a Mini Facial or Massage and includes all the extra activities during the weekend. All taking place in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Roscarbery from the 2nd to the 4th of October, the event will raise money to help fund the vital services of the Irish Cancer Society in the fight against breast cancer. For more information contact: Emma or Anne on (023) 88 48722 or visit: http://bit.ly/1GgWGDH
  • Skibbereen’s ‘Paint It Pink’ Golf Charity Classic will be taking place this Saturday to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. All teams of 3 are welcome to come along, entry is €10 for members and €15 for visitors. There will be fantastic prizes on offer and you could win 1 night’s B&B and 1 dinner for two people at the beautiful Heights Hotel, Killarney. Wear pink on the day and win Best Dressed prize courtesy of Sean Murray’s of Skibbereen! For more information visit https://goo.gl/XeqB5d or contact the clubhouse on 028 21227.

Donegal

  • On Saturday the 31st of October, the Mount Errigal Hotel is hosting Donegal’s Breast Player 2015 in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Paint it Pink’ campaign. Donegal’s Breast Player is a Pink male footballer competition similar to The Rose of Tralee. For more information and to get involved contact: Ena on 087 7381055.

Kerry

 

  • Help Paint Ballyseedy Pink this October! On Friday 16th October from 11am to 1pm, Ballyseedy Home & Garden in Tralee is once again turning pink as part of Paint it Pink. Everyone is encouraged to join the team for a pink coffee morning in the café and enjoy a mini fashion show courtesy of Edinburgh Woollen Mills at 12 noon. For more information visit https://goo.gl/nlHSRT or contact Mary O’Sullivan on +353 66 712 2305.
  • ‘Pink and Fluffy’ have already held their ‘Paint it Pin’k event for 2015 with their pink hug street collection which took place in Killorglin on August 29th. The group of fundraisers raised €1300 from their pink activity. Since 2006 the ‘Pink and Fluffy’ fundraisers have been turning Killorglin pink in support of the Irish Cancer Society. This year the group honoured one of their founders, Carol Ann, who sadly passed away in 2012 from breast cancer, by organising their events on her birthday on 29th August.

Mayo

  • On October 21st at 7pm Nibbles and Networking will take place in Breaffy House Hotel. We hope to have speakers from BNI, Network Mayo, Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, Mayo Business Women and the Irish Cancer Society. A donation of €10 will be asked to benefit the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Paint it Pink’ campaign.
  • On October 22nd at 10am a ‘Paint it Pink’ breakfast will be held in the Bay Leaf restaurant, Horkans Garden Centre, Castlebar. Come out and sample the Bay Leaf’s new breakfast menu and raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. Tickets are €10. All proceeds to the Irish Cancer Society.

 

 

 

[i] Based on cancer incidence figures from 2002-2012 from ncri.ie

[ii] Based on survival figures from 2008-2012 from ncri.ie

[iii] 100% of text cost goes to the Irish Cancer Society across most network providers. Some providers apply VAT which means that a minimum of €3.26 will go to the Society. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 01 4433890.

 

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