Media Release:

2009 Breast Cancer Month Calendar Dates – October

Clear your calendars for Breast Cancer Month, when pink becomes the nation's favourite colour! The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is all about friends and fundraising, rocking a ribbon and funding research for prevention and cure, this October.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in Australia, with 1 in 9 expected to be diagnosed by the age of 85. The NBCF's research into prevention and cure is helping to create better treatment options and improved outcomes. In the last decade, deaths from breast cancer have decreased by approximately 22%.

By attending an event, holding a breakfast at work or at home, or simply by spending your spare change on a pink ribbon, you can make a direct contribution to stopping this disease that affects mums, wives, sisters, girlfriends and their families.

Here are just a few easy ways that you can support the work of the NBCF:

Global Illumination
The brainchild of Ms. Evelyn Lauder, Global Illumination sees famous icons worldwide lit pink to promote breast cancer awareness. 2009 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Estee Lauder Companies Global Illumination campaign in Australia, with the Sydney Opera House and Federation Square in Melbourne turning pink, with many more to come!

The official launch of Breast Cancer Month will take place on Thursday September 24, with an exclusive cocktail event in Sydney on this date, with various other fundraising events around Australia during October. Visit www.globalillumination.org.au for more information.

Pink Ribbon Breakfasts
Anyone, anywhere around Australia can host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast to support breast cancer research, so spread the word! Celebrity chefs and NBCF ambassadors, Peter Evans and Michael Moore will be sharing their yummy pink breakfast ideas throughout October. Of course if you like a sleep-in, why not have a brunch or afternoon tea? Your only limit is your imagination!

Since it began in 2003, more than 20,000 Australians have held a breakfast and helped raise over $10million for research. Our aim is to take this figure past $13million this October so we need thousands of enthusiastic brekkie hosts.

An exciting new way to join in the fun is the option of holding a Virtual Breakfast! You might be overseas, too time-poor to hold an actual breakfast or just prefer the convenience of online fundraising. Setting up your own Pink Ribbon Breakfast page at www.pinkribbonbreakfast.org.au where friends and family can donate to your virtual breakfast is quick and easy (and there's no washing up to do afterwards!)

You can raise money through gold coin donations, food sales, raffles and auctions, with a Pink Ribbon Breakfast the perfect excuse to get together with friends and family and support a good cause at the same time. All hosts will receive a Host Information Booklet with fundraising ideas and suggestions to make your breakfast a scrumptious success.

Registrations open from mid-August, and Breakfasts can be held throughout September and October. Visit www.pinkribbonbreakfast.org.au for more information.

Pink Ribbon Day
Rock a ribbon this October and show that you're a supporter of breast cancer research. Every ribbon sold helps take us one step closer to prevention and cure so wear it proudly on Pink Ribbon Day, Monday October 26. But it's not just ribbons – there's a funky new bauble bracelet, and for the guys, a 'Real Men Wear Pink' button badge!

Street sales of the pink ribbon will take place around the country on Friday October 2, and through select retail outlets.

Pink Products
Looking to 'pink up' your breakfast or fundraising event? Then log onto NBCF's online shop www.pinkribbonshop.org.au, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reliable delivery throughout Australia means you can order anything from a pink ribbon t-shirt, to balloons and mugs, and have them conveniently bought straight to your door. NBCF merchandise makes a thoughtful gift, and with every purchase, you're contributing directly to helping us find a cure.

Our merchandise isn't just for the ladies, with the black polo with subtle pink ribbon a great way for men to show their support for the cause; of course, there's a pale pink version as well! There's a whole range of unisex items to suit both the chef and the sportsperson, with a new design striped pink apron, oven mitt and tea-towel set getting you ready for your Pink Ribbon Breakfast, while pink sports socks and wrist sweatbands will keep you cool on and off the court.

It's the perfect excuse to go shopping, without the guilt! Visit www.pinkribbonshop.org.au today.

About t he National Breast Cancer Foundation
The NBCF is the leading community-funded national organisation in Australia raising money for research into the prevention and cure of breast cancer. Since the NBCF was established in 1994, over $55 million has been awarded to Australian-based researchers across every state and territory to improve the health and wellbeing of those affected by breast cancer.

Mum Zone Release Date: 1st September 2009

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