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- Find out more: https://pinkupmudgee.com.au/
Turning pink means more than just breast cancer awareness.
Now in its fourth year, Pink Up Mudgee has become synonymous with October in the region which is also Breast Care Awareness Month.
Despite its namesake, Mudgee is not the only town in the region taking part. For the month of October businesses and the community in Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos are turning pink as well.
Mudgee was the first town in Australia to start 'pinking' itself up, the cause has now spread to more than 70 other Australian towns according to Pink Up founder Hugh Bateman who said COVID put a stop to many towns going pink this year.
"I think the beauty about 'pink up your town' is that it's during the period of breast care Awareness Month, which is October... It's something that we've grown to really appreciate. This year, again, we want to express it as a fun time, because it has been traumatic for some people, both just everyday people and also for people in business," Hugh said.
In the news:
"This year, we were hoping for 100 towns, Australia-wide. But how the pandemic will affect that is another thing."
We hear all the time about breast cancer and its devastating effect on families around Australia and the invaluable work that Breast Care Nurses do, but what does the data say?
According to the McGrath Foundation, it costs $140,000 to train and employ one breast care nurse for one year. A service that is free for its users which provides invaluable physical and mental support for people living with breast cancer.
Since 2005, the McGrath Foundation has assisted more than 86,000 families in Australia. According to the Australian Government's own statistics, it is estimated that in 2020 alone 19,974 people in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of those, 19,807 will be women and 167 will be men.
In 2016, breast cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in females. It is estimated that it will become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020.
In 2016, there were 17,492 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Australia - 138 males and 17,354 females.
Given these numbers, Hugh said it's important that the community knows that treatment and support is accessible.
"It's something that the community has got to be aware of. We've got the breast care screening van coming here in November, and then again in January. So it'll be great to have that facility here," he said.
"And of course we still have our own Breast Care Nurse here in the district who's doing a wonderful job."
So what does Pink Up Mudgee look like in a COVID-safe world? Hugh said anyone that wants to get involved can register at pinkupmudgee.com.au/ and already businesses are planning static displays with boxes where people can donate.
Along with that, the two biggest social events of the pink month are the already booked out Pink Races which are on Saturday, October 24, the Pink Golf Day ambrose event the following day on Sunday and a special pink Coffee and Cars on October 18.
Director of the McGrath Foundation, Tracey Bevan will be a special guest at the race day.
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