Since launching in 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) has fulfilled a vital role, raising awareness of the disease and funds for its prevention, treatment and cure.
This year the campaign took on even greater significance as the ability to fundraise was curtailed massively by the Coronavirus pandemic. Yet despite these difficulties supporters of Against Breast Cancer demonstrated extraordinary resilience and creativity in order to continue their vital fundraising.
Covid-19 has already left an indelible mark on breast cancer treatment and care services. Delays to research projects caused by national lockdowns and the absence of direct government support underline the importance of the funds on which we are solely reliant, whether from individuals, grant making trusts or organisations.
We were delighted that so many of you recognised the importance of fundraising for this year’s campaign and albeit at a social distance, still came together to fundraise. And we remind everyone that it is never too late to get involved, this year more than ever we urge you to continue your support for breast cancer research beyond October.
We have thanked everyone for their support so far and would love to do so again publicly, here are just a few of the events and partnerships we were privileged to receive support from during Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2020;
Keleigh from Melty Wax Company created pretty pink wax melts and donated all proceeds to us and became a recycling point for bra recycling.
“I work for the NHS and have done for 3-4 years now, before that I was a home carer. I have cared for a number of palliative patients with cancer being the highest cause of their illness. Secondary to this, my mother has previously been diagnosed with breast cancer. She survived but I lost my nan 11 years ago to breast cancer. She was primarily diagnosed a number of years earlier, fought the illness and won. Unfortunately for her she contracted it again and eventually the cancer spread and she lost her fight”
Keleigh, Melty Wax Company
Blackpool Skip Hire went pink! They painted a skip pink and sent it out on tour around Blackpool and Flyde Coast. People came out in droves to add their unloved and unwanted bras to this unique pink bra bank! They collected over 500 bras throughout BCAM.
“As a company we have decided to support Breast Cancer Awareness month in October to raise awareness of male and female cancer in the UK. Cancer has affected some of our staff and their families. It is close to our heart and something we will be proud to be a part of.”
Anne-Marie England, Blackpool Skips
Fifo UK turned their packages pink! They used pink tape to wrap their packages and included one of our information leaflets with each delivery. To turn this pink idea into a fundraiser they set up an online fundraising page for their customers who generously donated £2,239!
The Breast Tea Ever is a great way for our supporters to come together either socially distancing or virtually. We here at the charity held our own Breast Tea Ever in our office and played bingo from our desks. We all enjoyed the experience and had great fun whilst raising nearly £200 for our research.
Our supporters and corporates also enjoyed getting their bake on; Howden Care Centre raised £307, Bethany Sealey £136 and Nvidia over £500. So many people were inspired to bake for breast cancer, we just wish we got to taste all the cakes!
Sporting clubs also got on board. We launched the Virtual Breast Walk Ever, with participants fundraising for each mile walked. Monica from TripAdvisor took part and on a very cold wet day and managed to complete 15 miles along the Thames path, raising nearly £900.
“I have supported ABC since I started working with TripAdvisor and volunteered over the last couple of years as much as I could. Millions of women are dying of breast cancer and ABC is doing a lot of work in prevention of secondary breast cancer by funding unique research into the development of new treatments.
I want somehow to be part of this noble cause and help ABC achieving their goals. Every little helps!”
Monica Micu, fundraiser
The Virtual Breast Walk ever has raised over £3,000 with fundraisers still sending in their donations and topping up their fundraising pages.
Berkswell Balsall Common Hockey Club, joined our Play it Pink Campaign, they had a triumphant weekend with 5 teams playing in pink, donating their ‘fines’ as well as fundraising through JustGiving and selling ABC branded merchandise.
The team have raised over £800 so far. They even attracted the attention of BBC CWR Sports Show, on which they were invited to talk about their club, fundraising and the Play it Pink Campaign.
We were delighted to partner with The Male Breast Cancer Coalition and Kerry Quincey from Du Montfort University to raise awareness of male breast cancer through our Moobment campaign. Raising awareness and overcoming the stigma surrounding male breast cancer.
We wish we could mention every supporter, partner and campaigner who supported us during October, the most important Breast Cancer Awareness Month ever.
Find out more about how you can support us and fundraise for research into secondary spread, the main cause of breast cancer related deaths, or contact us at info@againstbreastcancer.org.uk.
Donate Now