Join thousands of women, men and children from all over the country in the Phoenix Park for the Great Pink Run in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland on Saturday 30th August 2014.
Now in its 4th year, the Great Pink Run has attracted thousands of serious and not so serious runners who choose either the 10k Challenge or the 5k Family Fun Run, Jog or Walk the Dog….there is something for everyone. There will be pinktastic entertainment for all with face-painters, music and plenty of prizes on offer.
Aisling Hurley, Director of Development at Breast Cancer Ireland adds:
“Our goal at Breast Cancer Ireland is, through research, to transform breast cancer, from often being a fatal disease, to a treatable illness long-term. The Great Pink Run is one of our main fundraising events that help to raise awareness on the important role that research plays in advancing a cure for Breast Cancer”
She added:
“We owe sincere gratitude to our Sponsors, Vincent & Beatty Solicitors; Dublin’s 98FM, Alkermes, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Dunnes Stores in ensuring that 85% of all funds raised through registration will now go directly towards funding our ongoing research efforts nationally.”
Last year’s run was supported by over 4500 people and raised €150,000 towards research and this year the organisers are hoping to attract close to 6,000 runners.
To register for the Great Pink Run go to www.greatpinkrun.ie.
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Breast cancer is the most common female invasive cancer in Ireland, affecting one in every ten women. Breast cancer affects women predominantly but also a small % of men. Every family knows someone who has been affected by this disease and raising awareness on the importance of breast health amongst women young and old is vital in helping to save lives.
Awareness of your body is critical and can save lives. Breast health is your wealth.
Breast Cancer Ireland has created a unique, free to download app that is available for iphone and android models, called “Breast Aware”. The app is designed to send you a discreet monthly reminder to your phone, along with a step by step video simulated guide on how best to perform a self breast examination as well as an outline of potential symptoms.
Knowing what is normal for you means you’ll easily recognise when new changes occur in the breast and or armpit area. Early detection leads to a much more positive treatment outcome.
It’s important to note that not all changes to your breasts are signs of cancer; some women find their breasts feel lumpy or tender before a period.
In most women, breast cancer is usually detected by a painless lump in the breast. There are other signs though, and you should book in to see a doctor if any of the following symptoms occur when you’re carrying out a routine breast check:
· Any change in the size or shape of the breast
· Changes to the nipple area such as crusting, ulcers, redness, inversion or change in shape or direction of the nipple
· Dimpling of the skin of the breast
· A rash (similar in appearance to eczema) affecting the nipple
· Discharge from the nipple
· Swelling or lumps in your armpit
· Veins that are standing out more than usual
So how is breast cancer diagnosed?
Breast cancer can be diagnosed with a series of tests. The most common methods include:
· Mammogram – an x-ray of the breast
· Ultrasound – an ultrasound will take an image of the breast. This can be used instead of a mammogram, especially in younger women. Cancer cells are white and generally with women under 50 years of age their breast tissue is white also – so detection can be difficult.
· Biopsy – this is where a small sample of the breast tissue is removed using a needle guided by an ultrasound or x-ray. This is performed as an outpatient, and the results of the biopsy are usually available within one or two weeks.
If a patient is diagnosed with Breast Cancer their consultant will tailor their treatment to personally suit their situation. There is no longer one treatment fits all. After many years of research, we now realise that every patients situation is personal to their genetic make up and therefore the treatment is tailored to suit them.
Breast Cancer Ireland is a registered charity established to raise funding to support pioneering research into breast cancer. Their vision is to transform Breast Cancer from often being a fatal disease (650 deaths annually) to a treatable illness long term.
How will they achieve this?
Speed of research discovery is critical in achieving our vision. At Breast Cancer Ireland we work in collaboration with the 8 designated cancer centres in Ireland and have funded the recruitment of specialist Breast Research Nurses initially in Limerick University Hospital, Cork University Hospital, Waterford and Beaumont in Dublin. Our goal is through this collaboration, we can collect and collate all breast cancer patient tissue and serum samples into one large centralised area, so that clinicians and scientists nationally can now avail of much larger volumes of samples on which to conduct their relevant research, thereby speeding up discovery output and ultimately affecting better treatment outcomes for patients.
How can you help?
Support our events…or create your own..
Breast Cancer Ireland run two major fundraising events annually; the Great Pink Run which takes place on Sat 30thAugust in the Phoenix Park, is a fun filled family day out for men, women and children and offers a 5k Family Fun Run or a 10k Challenge with Sonia O Sullivan, setting the pace.
Then in the Autumn, we host our Strictly Against Breast Cancer event in the Convention Centre Dublin, where we invite ten personalities to dance with ten survivors and supporters of breast cancer in a Strictly Dance off as part of a Black Tie Christmas Gala night. This years event takes place on Saturday 29th November.
