YOU can bet Jackie Rennie will be thinking pink today in Griffith and she hopes the rest of the city will too.
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Ms Rennie knows how important the Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Day is.
The mother-of-three had her breast removed in 2011 and before that watched as her mother Jean Marcus lost her brave battle with the disease.
“I’d encourage everyone to get behind the day,” she said.
“You never know when cancer can strike any of your family and friends.
“Before mum was diagnosed, it never crossed our minds that it could happen. It was a shock back then and when I found out I had it too it was a case of – not again.
“It is something you don’t think about until it affects someone close to you. It is because of events like Pink Ribbon Day that people are getting better care and treatment so we need to support it.”
Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Day takes place today, Friday, October 25.
It is an annual fundraiser with the aim to raise funds and awareness for all women’s cancers, including breast and gynaecological.
“Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Day is an opportunity for everybody in our community to come together and play a part in beating women’s cancer,” Annabel Macdonald from Cancer Council’s South West regional office said.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women but the good news is 31 per cent more women in Australia are alive than we would have expected over 20 years ago.
Cancer Council’s South West regional office has revealed the figures as thousands of locals across the Riverina prepare to show support for Pink Ribbon Day.
Major advances in screening, treatment and prevention programs have all played a huge role in helping to turn the tide on breast cancer.
“Cancer Council supports women through every stage of their cancer journey. We fund world-class research, prevention programs, and provide more than 20 support services for patients, survivors and their families,” Ms Macdonald said.
“One example of this is our helpline, where trained nurses and health professionals are available to talk to people affected by cancer in the Griffith region. Last year, nearly a quarter of all calls were about breast cancer.”