TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:16:51:41Edition:12/03/2010<strong>Feelgood</strong>XH1203Page:8Zone:XH8ALMOST 3,000 new cases ofbreast cancer were diagnosedin Ireland in 2008, confirmingthat one in ten <strong>Irish</strong>women are likely to developthe disease at some stage intheir lifetime.We need to be remindedof these shocking statisticsbecause although much ofthe population has beenaffected by the recession andfeels powerless to bringabout change, this is an areaof life where being proactivecan bring about real change.Supporting the FashionTargets Breast Campaign is away in which every one of uscan help to raise awarenessabout breast cancer andreduce the numbers of womenaffected by it.The campaign waslaunched by Elle McPhersonin 2005 and since then manywell-known celebrities, athome and abroad, have supportedit and in the processhelped raise 700,000 forbreast cancer research, highlightthe need for early detectionand remove any stigmaattached to the disease bylinking it to the glamorousworld of fashion.Wearing t-shirts, carryingbags (and in some cases doingboth) some of our bestknownpersonalities havetaken time out from theirbusy lives to support thisworthy cause.ARLENE HARRIS caughtup with key people whohave taken part over thepast five years.<strong>Feelgood</strong>XH - V1In the BAG9ALL FOR THE CAUSE2010Miriam O’CallaghanBROADCASTER Miriam O’Callaghan is nostranger to charitable causes, and, despite herbusy life, readily agreed to model the 2010FTBC bag designed by Tory Burch (45).“FTBC is an extremely important campaign, becauseit’s an eye-catching, attractive, high-profile wayof getting women to think about their health andtheir bodies,” says Miriam.“We all live very busy lives these days, betweenwork and family commitments, and the very lastthing we usually think about is our own health,” saysthe mother of eight. “So, this campaign is a way ofmaking people more aware, and, as we all know, earlydetection in cancer diagnosis can often make thedifference in the final outcome.”The 50-year-old presenter has first-hand knowledgeof the devastation illness can cause within afamily. “I have no personal experience of breast cancerin my immediate family, but I know plenty offriends and work colleagues who have gone throughthis traumatic experience,” she says.“On a personal note, my darling sister, Anne, diedaged 33 from stomach cancer and it makes you veryconscious of the disease and the importance of earlydetection,” she says.And, through her work, Miriam has met manywomen who have been affected by cancer.“I have fronted the ICS Breast Awareness Campaignson many occasions, so I was fortunate enoughto meet many wonderful survivors of breast cancer,”she says. “I was always so impressed by their courageand good humour in the face of great adversity.”Why should people support the campaign? “I realiseit’s a difficult time, financially, for many peoplein Ireland, so I wouldn’t suggest that they go out andbuy a bag, unless they can truly afford it,” she says.“Getting together with friends, chatting, and havingcoffee mornings to spread the word and make otherpeople more aware of breast cancer would be just asuseful.”2009Ray D’ArcyPicture:Nick Bradshaw/ fotonicBREAST CANCER is predominantly a femalecondition, but a small percentage ofmen (1% in Ireland) also suffer from the disease,so when we asked broadcaster Ray D’Arcyto take part in the campaign last year he had nohesitation.“Both of my grannies’s died from cancer. it is aterrible, unforgiving disease that touches all of usin some way or other,” he says. “But breast canceris not an exclusively female problem, men can beaffected too, either by contracting the disease orby losing a loved one — it is something that affectsus all.” During the 2009 campaign, the45-year-old presenter modelled the men’s FTBCt-shirt andalso sportingly agreed to be photographed wearingthe FTBC Paul Smith tote bag.“It was a small thing to do if it was going tomake people sit up and take notice,” he says. “Irecently joined hundreds of others in having myhead shaved for the Today FM Shave or Dye campaignwhich we are currently running in aid ofthe <strong>Irish</strong> Cancer Society.”“This was quite a poignant exercise as we spoketo so many people who had lost loved ones tocancer and there were so many of us healthy peoplerunning around with bald heads — it highlightedthe fact that shaving our hair off was asmall price to pay and we’ve raised 500,000 sofar.”With a three-year-old daughter of his own, Rayis keen to promote healthy living and body awareness.“We have become an unhealthy nation andsomething needs to be done about that,” he says.MODELQUOTESupermodel, ErinO’Connor was keen tolaunch the 2007 FTBCcampaign as she hadbeen personally affectedby the disease. “Mygrandmotherunfortunately passedaway from breastcancer,” she said.“I was small whenshe died, but the deathaffected everyone in thefamily in a way that westill think about whatshe went through. And,actually, rather sadlybecause what wasn’tavailable at the time.“She was just 53, but Ithink we have takenpositive action as a resultof something sotragic and we are allaware of what we needto do to maintain apositive lifestyle.”“When I was growing up exercise was a given andpeople seemed to lead healthier lives. We need toinstil some sort of health consciousness into ourchildren.“Early detection is the key and making peopleaware is crucial.”Why should people support the campaign? “It’sa win/win situation,” he says. “If you buy the bagyou get a designer item for a reasonable pricewhile helping to raise awareness and funds for agood cause. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter— all you need to ask is where did you get thebag and you’re away.”Picture:Mac Innes PhotographyFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 20102008Lorraine KeaneTV PERSONALITY Lorraine Keane has been involved inevery FTBC campaign since it launched in Ireland, in2005. As one of six sisters, she says breast cancer is a veryreal threat to women.“I’m very much a woman’s woman and am surrounded by femaleswho are very important to me,” she says. “From mymother and my sisters to my daughters, my friends and my relatives— any one of them could be affected.“So, I would shout it from the rooftops, if I could — preventionis better than cure. We all need to do what we can to preventthis desperate disease.”The 36-year-old is not taking any chances when it comes toher own health — breast awareness has become part of her regularroutine.“Since I became a mum, I worry about my health a lotmore,” she says. “Every night, I pray to let me live as long aspossible, so I can see my girls grow up — not being around forthem doesn’t bear thinking about.“Ronan Keating told me that if his mum had beenscreened for breast cancer earlier, she would probablynot have died so young (she was 51). And he and hisfamily are working tirelessly to ensure that otherwomen don’t suffer the same fate,” she says.The mother-of-two has been involved in manyFTBC campaigns and still has all of the productsrelating to the cause.“I still have all of my FTBC t-shirts and bags— I can’t bring myself to get rid of them. Becausewhenever I get the opportunity touse them, it’s reinforcing the issue ofbreast cancer,” she says.Lorraine says women can,and should, be helpingeach other to fight thisdisease.“Women are incrediblecreatures —we are always lookingafter everyoneelse, so it isabout time thatwe looked aftereach other.“Talkingabout breastcancer, andsupporting thecause, will helpthousands ofwomen going throughtreatment right now, and even ifjust one woman makes the decisionto visit her doctor andcatches the cancer early, then it isall been worthwhile.”Why should people support thecampaign? “Buy the bag, if you can affordit, and, if not, set a date with yourfriends and organise a coffee morning ormake-up night, and get everyone to donatea couple of euro — you’ll have fun and willraise money for a great cause,” she says.Picture:Mac Innes PhotographyPAGE 10:■ 2007: AmyHuberman■ 2006: BlaithnaidNí Chofaigh
TERAPROOF:User:margaretjenningsDate:10/03/2010Time:16:51:23Edition:12/03/2010<strong>Feelgood</strong>XH1203Page:10Zone:XH10Glad to beIn the BAGRAISING AWARENESSXH - V12007 MODEL 2006Amy HubermanWHEN actress and novelist Amy Hubermanwas asked to take part in the2007 FTBC campaign, she jumped atthe chance.“I had no hesitation in taking part, as it wasa great opportunity to raise awareness for sucha worthy cause,” she says.“But the day of the shoot was fantastic also—there was areally good vibe and agreatsense of support between all of the women involved.It was like afeeling of solidarity to bedoing something worthwhile as a group. Wealso had agreat laugh,” she says. And Istillhave the t-shirt, although it is so old now, Iwear it as pyjamas.”Despite the fun on the day, the30-year-old said her involvement with FT-BC has highlighted the need to bebreast-aware and not leave health tochance.“Like many women of my age, Ihad notreally paid much attention to breast cancer,thinking it wasn’t something to worry aboutuntil I got older. I thought I was invincible.”But after taking part in FTBC, Irealised it can affect women of anyage, and circumstances, such as beingon the Pill or having breast cancerin the family can make you moresusceptible.”The Dublin actress is gratefulto have had no personal experienceof the disease, but says thatprevention is always better thancure.“I make sure to do regularbreast checks and know what feelsright for me,” she says. “If Iwasworried about anything, Iwouldn’t hesitate to go and getmedical advice.“We need to face the fear whenit comes to these things, chancesare everything will be fine, butignoring it definitely won’tmake it go away,” she says.Why should people supportthe campaign? “FTBC is avery clever campaign, becauseof the correlationbetween wearing gorgeoust-shirts and bags, and advertisingthe need to bemore aware about breastcancer,” she says.“Everyone who buys FT-BC products will be supportingthe cause, and reinforcingthe message thatbreast cancer is not somethingto be embarrassedabout. So buy the bag, gettalking and get yourselfchecked out.”Picture: Barry McCall<strong>Feelgood</strong>■ For more informationabout breastcancer visitwww.cancer.ieQUOTETHE internationallyrenowned supermodelElle MacPhersonFRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010launched the campaignin 2005 and was quickto highlight that breastcancer can targetanyone and encouragedpeople to buy thet-shirt and support thecause.“It doesn’t matter ifyou’re old or young,rich or poor, fat orskinny — breast canceris something that couldaffect you, your mum oryour sister,” said the45-year-old during theoriginal campaign.the factsabout FTBC■ Fashion Targets Breast Cancerwas launched in Ireland in2005■ To date the campaign hasraised 700,000 for breastcancer■ Funds raised have gone towardsraising awarenessabout breast cancer and producingfree informationleaflets for women■ The campaign product featuredexclusive T-shirts from2005-2007■ Diane Von Furstenburg andOrla Kiely designed FTBC bagsin 2008■ Paul Smith designed a bagand t-shirt in 2009■ The 2010 FTBC bag was createdby American designer ToryBurch. It costs 45 and willbe available in Brown ThomasDublin, Cork, Limerick and Galwayand BT2 Grafton Street,Dundrum and BlanchardstownShopping Center from FridayMarch 19.Picture: Barry McCallBlaithnaid Ní ChofaighTV PRESENTER Blaithnaid Ní Chofaigh was involvedwith FTBC in 2006, and has a personal interestin raising awareness about breast cancer. Her grandmotherdied from the disease and her older sister has justendured a gruelling battle with breast cancer.“My sister is only 42 and I never thought I would be sittingwith her in St Vincent’s hospital, while she wentthrough weeks of treatment,” she says. “I used to think thatbreast cancer only affected older women, but this, truly, is amyth that needs to be addressed.”The 39-year-old believes children should be made awareof their bodies from a young age and should know what tolook for.“The <strong>Irish</strong> Cancer Society (ICS) have always run reallygood campaigns and FTBC has been a phenomenal success,but Ithink it would be agreat idea to get young womenwho have been affected by the disease to visit secondaryschools and talk to teenagers about the need to be breastaware,” she says.The death of her grandmother, and, more recently, hersister’s lumpectomy, have made Blaithnaid very aware of thedangers of breast cancer.“My father told us when we were younger that breastcancer is hereditary and advised us to have regularcheck-ups, so, since my early 30s, I have been having amammogram every year,” she says.“Early detection is absolutely crucial and can mean thedifference between life and death, so an annual check-upcould make all the difference.”Why should people support the campaign? “There arethousands of worthy causes out there and we can’t help everyone.But if you only gave your time to three charitiesthis year, make FTBC one of them. We are all affected insome way or other and being breast aware could save yourlife.”
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