Eastlife Autumn 2020

Pretty in Pink
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Find out how you
can raise money for the cause with events and fundraisers.
This year’s pandemic has taken its toll
on us all. Theatres, restaurants and
hotels may have been at the forefront
of the media, but like those businesses,
charities have also seen a huge
drop in vital funds. The cancellation
of sponsored 5k runs, walks and
challenges means charities need our
support more than ever.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness
month and offers the opportunity to
help raise money for research and
support. Buy and wear your pink ribbon
proudly or organise a socially distanced
fundraiser at home.
On 23 October, charity Breast Cancer
Now, will be bringing back its ‘Wear it
pink’ event. Since its launch in 2002, the
event has raised over £35million.
Balwinder, aged 56 from Essex, was
diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015
during a routine work medical review,
she said: “When the consultant said
the dreadful words “you have breast
cancer”, I was devastated. I had so many
emotions running through my head,
from anger to disbelief to denial.”
Balwinder was supported by her
husband and son throughout her
chemotherapy, but also reached out
to Breast Cancer Now. “Breast Cancer
Now were a vital lifeline for me,” she
explained. “When I was diagnosed, I was
bombarded with so much information
and I was struggling to get my head
around what was happening. I was put
in touch with Breast Cancer Now and
they helped me understand everything
and guided me through treatment.
“I was also put in touch with a lady
who had been diagnosed with breast
cancer a few years earlier through
Breast Cancer Now’s Someone Like Me
service. This was wonderful because
we could chat about the silly stuff and
holidays, but if I needed advice about
treatment, I could ask her too.”
Since her recovery Balwinder has taken
part in fundraising events such as
bucket collections at her local Asda, a
fashion show and impressively ran 5k
three weeks after her final treatment.
She has helped raise awareness with
local MPs and this year features in the
‘Wear it pink’ campaign.
“I feel really proud to support ‘Wear it
pink’. Breast Cancer Now has done so
much for me and this is my way of giving
back. By taking part, you’ll be making
a difference, helping to fund research
to help save lives and care for people
like me, who are living proof of the
importance of the support they provide
at a very crucial time,” she said.
She also added her words of wisdom:
“Ask for help. Don’t be shy, just ask. If
you need someone to hold your hand
or lend an ear to listen to your worries,
it helps to keep talking! Be kind to
yourself, self-compassion, self-care and
put your needs first ‘top priority’. You
know the old saying ‘many hands make
light work’!”
It’s never been more important to raise
money for breast cancer research and
care. To take part in ‘Wear it pink’ on 23
October for Breast Cancer Now, register
at wearitpink.org
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