'Big Pink Breakfast' launched by Sarah Butler; breast cancer survivor, Patrice Morrisey; and baker Una Leonard. Photo: Andres Poveda. 'Big Pink Breakfast' launched by Sarah Butler; breast cancer survivor, Patrice Morrisey; and baker Una Leonard.
Photo: Andres Poveda. 'Big Pink Breakfast' launched by Sarah Butler; breast cancer survivor, Patrice Morrisey; and baker Una Leonard. Photo: Andres Poveda.
'Big Pink Breakfast' launched by Sarah Butler; breast cancer survivor, Patrice Morrisey; and baker Una Leonard. Photo: Andres Poveda. The Irish Cancer Society has launched a new initiative called ‘Big Pink Breakfast’ ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to raise vital funds for breast cancer research and free services for patients.
Among the eight chefs and bakers lending their support to the charity during the campaign are Clodagh McKenna and Donal Skehan. The charity is encouraging people to host a Big Pink Breakfast, which can be anything from a family get together, a community bake sale or a coffee morning in work. Individuals are encouraged to take part particularly during the week of October 7-14, but a Big Pink Breakfast can be hosted anytime during the month of October.
Those looking to host a Big Pink Breakfast can register their event online with the charity, and then check out their toolkit and resources page, where recipes, top tips and other materials for the event can be found. To register and to find out more, visit: cancer.ie/pink.
This year’s campaign was launched by Patrice Morrissey, a single parent of three, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023. Ms Morrissey hosted a Big Pink Breakfast in her workplace last year while still going through treatment, raising €13,500 for the Irish Cancer Society. The Irish Cancer Society typically receives just 5pc of its funding from Government, and so vital supports and services such as the support line, transport service, daffodil centres, cancer information, financial grants and night nursing are all fuelled by fundraising.
Launching this year’s campaign, Ms Morrissey said: “When you sign up to host a Big Pink Breakfast, you are choosing to help people affected by breast cancer like me and my family. 'Big Pink Breakfast' launched by Sarah Butler; breast cancer survivor, Patrice Morrisey; and baker Una Leonard. Photo: Andres Poveda.
“Hearing those three words “you have cancer” is devastating. I had my family around me, and they helped me through my diagnosis, but it was also incredibly comforting to visit a Daffodil Centre for advice, access Irish Cancer Society-funded counselling and to get a free lift to and from some of my appointments- all incredible free services, fuelled by the generosity of the public.” Mr Morrissey said she wanted to host her own Big Pink Breakfast event so she could give back to breast cancer patients coming after her.
“I’d encourage anybody to sign up, get the kettle on, get baking or run to your local shop, make a big a difference and positively impact the life of somebody going through breast cancer this October,” she said. All eight chefs and bakers participating and lending their support this year, include: Sarah Butler, Gillian Cottell, Karl Henry, Una Leonard, Neven Maguire, Clodagh McKenna, Cliona O’Connor and Donal Skehan. Their recipes are available for participants to download in the Big Pink Breakfast Recipe E-Book.
Best-selling home-cooking author Sarah Butler said she was thrilled to be involved with the campaign. “The Irish Cancer Society does amazing work in supporting patients and their families as they are going through the most difficult time. “In Ireland, we’re great at rallying around each other and coming together, and I’d really encourage people to host a Big Pink Breakfast wherever you can: at your workplace, in the office, at your kid’s school, in your sports club, community centre or at home – wherever you can think of! “You’ll raise vital funding for a great cause, but importantly as well, you’ll be getting people thinking about breast cancer this breast cancer awareness month.
” Symptoms of breast cancer include: • A lump or thickening in your breast or armpit • A change in size or shape of one breast • A change in the skin of your breast, like puckering or dimpling • A breast abscess – (infected boil) this may appear as a red, tender area on your breast. • A change in your nipple, like a pulled-in, sunken or flattened nipple. • An unusual discharge (liquid) from one or both of your nipples.
The discharge may be blood stained or watery. • A change on or around the nipple like a rash or flaky or crusted skin • Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone If you have any questions about breast cancer, get in touch with the Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line at 1800 200 700 or email [email protected].
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