From pink fire trucks to pink cupcakes, the Colac community is preparing to turn its town all shades of the rosy hue in October.
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Pink Up Colac will be launched at Miss Franchesca’s Cafe on October 2 and will be followed by various activities throughout the month, including a gala event at the Colac Golf Club.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and various cities across Australia are turning pink to raise money to provide specialist breast care nurses to communities and awareness for breast health in men and women.
McGrath Foundation breast cancer nurse, Colac’s Michelle Hamblin said businesses and individuals had jumped on board to show their support.
“We’re pinking up Colac and inviting the public and businesses to come along,” Mrs Hamblin said.
She said shopfronts would be decorated and even the uplights in the CBD would shine pink. There’s a Bunnings barbecue on October 6 and the Birregurra community market and Colac Rotary Market will also have pink-themed events. “The CFA are getting involved,” she said. “They’re going to pink up their trucks and the station. Heather’s Swim School are wearing pink shirts for the whole month and there’s others doing cupcakes and pink morning teas.”
It all leads up to the Pink for a Purpose Gala Night on Saturday, October 27. “The Runaways, a popular local band, are getting back together for the gala night which is great. It’s going to be fantastic. There’s a dozen or more businesses already involved who want to help pink up Colac and we’re encouraging more.”
She said the oldest breast cancer patient who she worked with was diagnosed at 102, the youngest was aged in her mid-20s.
“The aim of it is to create a visual display of pink that gets the community talking and asking what’s going on,” she said.
“That makes people think ‘oh I am due for my breast screen or the shape of my breasts is different to the other. Maybe I should go and get that checked or there’s a bit of discharge from my nipple. I wonder if that’s normal or not?’. It’s all about getting people to know what’s normal for them as well. That’s one of the big things because early detection means a greater rate of survival with breast cancer.
“If people can know what’s normal for them they can then go and seek help and get it checked out. Most lumps and bumps aren’t always cancer. They can be hormonal changes or benign cysts. even if you do find a lump don’t sit on it, go and get it checked out.”
For more information about Colac events during October go to the Pink Up Colac Facebook page.
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