A Wellington woman is giving two hours to support New Zealanders affected by breast cancer – and she’s encouraging others across the region to get involved too.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s Pink Ribbon Street Appeal returns on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October. More volunteers are needed across the region to collect donations during a two-hour shift at a local supermarket, shopping centre or community location.

The Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is the Foundation’s longest-running fundraiser, raising vital funds in support of the 390 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the greater Wellington region every year – and more than 3,700 people around the country.

But the appeal couldn’t happen without the thousands of volunteers who generously give their time each year.

For Lola Costello, volunteering is personal after she was diagnosed with breast cancer last October.

Lola says, “I have collected for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal before but it had been a while, then I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year completely out of the blue.

“I found Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s website invaluable to help me understand my cancer and my treatment plan, as well as help me explain it to people in my life.

“I also found the cancer myself, and early, in no small part because of the Foundation’s awareness campaigns. By April, I was cancer-free again.”

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s chief executive Vanessa Sorenson says the impact of the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal reaches far beyond the collection sites: “A pink bucket may look like a small thing, but the generosity behind it helps someone get trusted advice when breast cancer turns their life upside down. It helps communities learn about early detection and enables researchers to pursue better ways to diagnose and treat the disease.

“As an independent charity, we receive no government funding for our vital work. We need people across Wellington to help fill the collection sites – and if you can spare two hours, we would love to have you with us.”

Signing up to collect for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal is easy – simply choose a location and time that suits, then show up for your shift. Everything volunteers need is provided at the collection site, and first-time volunteers will receive information and support before their shift.

The money raised through the appeal helps to empower communities with education, fund groundbreaking research and innovation, provide compassionate patient support, and advocate for change so more New Zealanders with breast cancer can live and live well.

Sign up to collect for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal at pinkribbonvolunteer.org.nz. Registrations close at 12pm on 15 October.

A “thank you” to Pui-Yi Cheng from Breast Cancer Foundation NZ for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

16/09/26