HUNDREDS of businesses, schools and shops across the Swindon area are preparing to turn pink later this month for the national Wear It Pink Day in aid of breast cancer charities.

Thousands of people around the country will be digging out their brightest, pinkest items on October 25 to help raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.

Despite recent advances in breast cancer research, the disease is still the most common form of cancer and claims the lives of 12,000 women each year.

Last year, £2.1 million was raised by Wear It Pink supporters to go towards funding world-class research across the UK and Ireland by the national charity Breast Cancer Campaign.

People are being encouraged to get involved in Swindon and the Wiltshire Breakthrough Breast Cancer group, which offers support to those diagnosed with breast cancer and is run by volunteers led by Lynn Parfrey, are part of the push to promote fundraising.

Lynn said: “Everyone relates the colour pink to breast cancer which is why they do the Wear It Pink Day.

“It’s really to raise awareness of the disease and to tell women not to be afraid to go to the doctor and get screened and make people aware and get it out there.

“And it just encourages people to keep on supporting us because every penny we collect and raise goes towards research to end this disease.

“Breast cancer is still the biggest killer in the UK and if affects so many people in Swindon.

“Everything that you do to help goes towards saving lives.”

There are plenty of events and activities happening throughout October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, such as the Ladies Pink Pamper night which is taking place this evening at the Marriott Hotel from 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £7 on the door and visitors affected by breast cancer will have a chance to pamper themselves with a variety of treatments and therapies.

Tomorrow there will be a Breast Cancer Moving Forward Information and Support Day at the Hilton Hotel, where visitors from 9am to 5.30pm will be able to ask questions.

They will also receive support, as well as learn more about the impact of breast cancer on peoples’ everyday life.

And on October 19 there is another day of pampering on offer at the Ridgeway Hospital, where women who have experienced breast cancer can receive a free treatment.

Wiltshire Breakthrough Breast Cancer Group is one of 51 regional groups around the UK who work on behalf of the national charity based in central London.

The Wiltshire group brings in around £30,000 a year, much of which is raised at the Mad March Hare run, which has been held for six years.

The group is always looking for new ideas on how to hold fundraising events, and they are always recruiting for new volunteers.

Lynn said: “If people can offer just a few hours a week to help or come along to our committee meeting and come up with new ideas to help raise awareness in Swindon we want them to come along.”

To get involved email lynn.wbg@gmail.com or call Lynn on 07530 948350. More details about the 2013 Wear It Pink campaign at www.wearitpink.org.

THE Adver is again supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a special issue and supplement on October 17 helping to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Send us your messages celebrating loved ones who have fought and won against the disease, in support of those still battling it, or remembering the friends and relatives who have lost their lives. Try to include a picture if you can, and we will publish your messages in our October 17 issue.
You can send your messages and pictures to us via Facebook or you can email them to mtompkins@swindon
advertiser.co.uk.
We will be donating 2p from the sale of each copy of the Adver on October 17 to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
We will also have charity collection boxes at: