Queenstown cancer survivor calls for more street appeal volunteers

A local breast cancer survivor is calling on people the people of Otago to step up and volunteer for Breast Cancer Foundation’s Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, taking place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October.

Annette Seddon, from Queenstown, will be joining thousands of New Zealanders across the country to raise funds for life-saving breast cancer research, education and patient support. The Foundation still needs more people in Otago to sign up for a two-hour collection shift to collect for the appeal.

Annette was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in November of 2019, aged 62, after finding a lump in her breast. Annette’s mum had been through breast cancer at the age of 40, so she had been vigilant about regularly checking her breasts.

Going through her own breast cancer journey, Annette reflects on her mum’s experience and counts herself fortunate that breast cancer research has advanced significantly, with resources and support available now that her mum wasn’t able to benefit from.

Thinking of her own grandchild, Annette says: “I’ve been given so much support that I want the future generations to be able have what I have.”

“Anything that can help anyone down the track, it’s what you do,” she adds.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, says local support is desperately needed for the charity’s work to continue: “We don’t receive any government funding, so we rely on the generosity of incredible volunteers like Annette to keep our vital work going.

“Giving up just two hours of your time is a small act that has a massive impact. Every dollar raised goes towards our mission to stop New Zealanders dying from breast cancer.”

Each year, around 235 women are diagnosed with breast cancer across Otago and Southland. The money raised from the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal funds ground-breaking research, life-saving education campaigns, and critical patient support.

Sign up to collect for the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal at pinkribbonvolunteer.org.nz. Registrations close at 12pm on 16 October.

Main Image: (L -  R) Sheena Hayward and daughter Annette Seddon