May 23 was a day for wearing pink and helping in the battle against breast cancer. At least it was in Timaru, New Zealand. More than 100 people gathered for the fundraising Pink Ribbon Breakfast, wearing pink outfits to help fight breast cancer. These type of fundraisers have become a tradition, with all proceeds used to fund research into the treatment of the second most common type of cancer among women.

This Pink Ribbon Breakfast took place at Timaru’s Landing Services Building, which was filled with laughter, conversation, and the clinking of cutlery as guests tucked into their food. The participants showed up wearing pink wings, clothing, or lipstick, and there were also a few glasses of pinky bubbly for those wanting a champagne breakfast.

The event drew more than 100 people and was organized by Hayley Donaldson. Funds raised were awarded to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. Donaldson was at the event with three generations of her family — Brooke Page, Mackenzie Donaldson, Kaylene Gliddon, Lyn Donaldson with Neve Donaldson, and Les Gough.

While Hayley Donaldson has not suffered from breast cancer, her mother and mother-in-law are both breast cancer survivors, and the disease has had a great impact on their family. In an interview to The Timaru Herald, Donaldson said the number who attended the fundraising event was overwhelming and that she had not expected so much support. “It’s just amazing,” she said.

The Pink Ribbon Breakfast was focused for a female audience, but it was not exclusively for them. Les Gough, 78, was among the few men at the event, and he proudly wore a pink tie. While breast cancer is a rare disease among men, Gough experienced first-hand the the impact of the disease when his daughter was diagnosed.

Kaylene Gliddon, Les Gough’s daughter, suffered the devastating effects of breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy last October. “The most important thing is to get women aware of how serious it is,” Gough said. “It’s not only women, either.” While it is rare, men also get the disease.

Many Pink Ribbon Breakfasts have already been organized, while a similar fundraising event took place on a recent Sunday at the SBS Events Centre, where 140 people attended.

Right after the Pink Ribbon Breakfast, the organization estimated that proceeds raised were between $3,000 and $4,500, which will now be invested by the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation in research projects and medical grants to help improve breast cancer survival in the country. The organization is also thankful to the Speights Ale House staff, who catered the event for free.

Learn more about breast cancer: http://bit.ly/learnBreastCancer

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