Western News: October 08, 2020

WESTERN NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Thursday October 8 2020 5
mother
“The following couple of years were
riddled with hospital visits, radiation
treatment to shrink tumours that
kept appearing on the spine and other
places, and various drug treatments.
Having damaged a nerve in her arm
when her arm broke, affecting
her hand meaning she was no longer
able to drive, the resultant trips to the
oncologist became a regular part of
live for the family as we all chipped in
to help with transport and to attend
and support mum.
“Through it all, including some
very tough times, the care and
treatment mum received was simply
amazing, and the new oral chemo
pill she was on, did a wonderful job
of extending her time, and allowing
us to enjoy some valuable time with
her, and for her to see her grandkids
get a couple of years older, before she
finally had to leave us.”
•The walk will be held
on Saturday, October
17, in Hagley Park, with
pre-event entertainment
from 2.15pm and
the walk starting
at 3pm. Tickets are
available online now at
pinkribbonwalk.co.nz
•In the Canterbury
District Health Board
region around 400
women are diagnosed
with breast cancer each
year, and every year
around 77 will die.
•Pink Ribbon Walks
are annual fundraisers
which celebrate breast
cancer survivors,
remember those who
have been lost, promote
breast health awareness,
and raise muchneeded
funds to work
towards Breast Cancer
Foundation NZ vision of
zero deaths from breast
cancer.
•With 5km and 10km
routes, the walks are
accessible to everyone,
no matter their age or
fitness level. Supporters
who aren’t keen on
walking can still take
part by signing up to
be a volunteer marshal
or cheer squad
member.
About Breast Cancer in
New Zealand
More than 3300 women
a year are diagnosed with
breast cancer in NZ – that’s
nine women a day 90-95
per cent of women who
are diagnosed with breast
cancer have no family
history of the disease.
•Around 350 NZ women
under the age of 45 (when
free mammograms start)
will be diagnosed with
breast cancer this year –
that’s one woman a day
•More than 650 women
will die of breast cancer
this year – about the size of
a large primary school
•The earlier breast cancer
is found, the better the
outcome. The 10-year
survival rate is 92 per cent
if the cancer is detected
by regular screening
mammogram
Breast Cancer
Foundation NZ
recommends women
consider having yearly
breast screening
mammograms at age
40-49 years of age, then
screen every two years
from age 50
•Free screening is
available for women
from age 45 through
BreastScreen Aotearoa
Merrin School bakes
for animal welfare
MERRIN SCHOOL senior
pupils put their creative baking
hats on in support of SPCA
Cupcake Day.
They raised more than $500
selling creative cupcakes, with all
the funds going to the thousands
of animals that the charity helps
every year.
They are now calling for Kiwi
home bakers to roll up their
sleeves and get behind the annual
SPCA Cupcake Day fundraiser
next month.
Over the years, the event has
raised close to $3.2 million helping
the tens of thousands of animals
that come through SPCA’s
doors each year in need of care,
shelter and veterinary treatment.
Cupcake Day is the last major
fundraising event of the year and
the animal welfare charity is encouraging
keen baking enthusiasts
to get stuck into the kitchen,
whip up a batch of cupcakes and
sell them at workplaces, schools,
and to family and friends.
Last year saw 1092 home bakers
get involved, and 641 businesses.
SPCA chief executive Andrea
Midgen says recent events had
taken a big bite out of the charity,
but here was something tangible
that supporters could do to help.
She adds that because levels are
going down, the charity is moving
full steam ahead with their
sweetest fundraiser of the year.
“Baking a dozen cupcakes and
fundraising is a small act of kindness
that has a big impact and we
are so grateful to all the animal
lovers who bake so passionately
for a wonderful cause,” she said.
Funds raised from SPCA
Cupcake Day will be used across
the country to aid in rescuing,
rehabilitating and rehoming
animals in need.
•Kiwis are encouraged
to bake a difference for
animals in need and sign
up for SPCA Cupcake Day
on November 2. Sign up
at www.spcacupcakeday.
co.nz