Organisers of the Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk are encouraging women & men to be breast aware, as they prepare for their eighth fundraising walk, taking place on October 6th. The event is not just for women men and children are also encouraged to get involved.
Every year in Cork, an average of 376 people are diagnosed with breast cancer. While increasing numbers are being diagnosed with breast cancer, over 80 per cent of people are now surviving their illness.
Chairperson of the local Pink Ribbon Walk, Fiona O’Mahony, who is a breast cancer survivor, said, “We took the decision to move the walk to October this year to coincide with breast cancer awareness month. We wanted to bring the walk back to basics to remind people to check their breasts as early detection is imperative. Even though more people are diagnosed every year, the survival rate with early intervention is better than ever before and something I feel very strongly about raising awareness of.”
The Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk is now the only national surviving Pink Ribbon Walk and we will be flying the pink flag for county and country. This event raises crucial funds for the Irish Cancer Society’s cancer research and free services available locally to help anyone affected by cancer. Fiona said that they have been blown away by the support to date of Kinsale town surrounding areas and also have a big support coming from Dublin. Together with money raised by participants and sponsors, the committee hopes to raise over €35,000 from this year’s walk.
Registration is now open at www.pinkribbonwalk.ie for the event which will take place on Sunday, October 6th with runners starting at 11.50am, followed by walkers at 12noon. The route begins in the town centre, taking in some breathtaking coastal views before finishing at the harbour. Afterwards, longstanding ambassador Sharon Crosbie will be joined by local a cappella choir Kinsale Voices for a beautiful closing ceremony in Acton’s Hotel.
Fiona added, “There is no family untouched by cancer in Ireland. So let’s come together on October 6th, in a pink show of support, and help those who are currently facing this disease. It’s a fun event, but together we can make a serious difference to someone facing breast cancer.”