The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition is asking you to "show your heart for women living with breast cancer" by buying Arnott's Tim Tam biscuits from Countdown supermarkets for the next month to help us support New Zealand women with the disease.
Between May 12 and June 8, 20 cents from every packet of Arnott's Tim Tam biscuits sold in Countdown supermarkets will go to BCAC to help us continue to provide support and information to the thousands of Kiwi women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
This year, renowned New Zealand printmarker Penny Stotter, is also backing the campaign and has designed a beautiful limited edition ceramic plate featuring a stylised heart which will be gifted to a handful of lucky winners. To enter click here.
BCAC chair, Libby Burgess, says this year the Show Your Heart for Women Living with Breast Cancer campaign is focused on breast health for women aged 70 and over
“The number of older women with breast cancer is only going to grow as our population ages. We value our older women and we want them to take care of themselves. That’s why we’re asking those over 70 to remain vigilant about breast health because you’re never too old to get breast cancer,” she says.
The number of women aged 70 and over diagnosed with breast cancer is on the rise and more than 700 women in this age group were diagnosed with the disease in 2012.
Ms Burgess says BCAC is concerned that many older women believe they may be beyond getting breast cancer when in fact a woman's risk of getting breast cancer increases as she ages.
BCAC says international research has also shown that many older women:
- don’t know that getting older is a risk factor in getting breast cancer
- are less likely to get breast changes checked
- are unaware of the symptoms of breast cancer other than a lump.
Ms Burgess says it is vital for older women to monitor their breasts not just for lumps, but for other symptoms such as a rash or dimpling of the skin, pain in the breast and nipple changes and to seek medical attention as early as possible.
The funds raised in this year’s Show Your Heart campaign will help to pay for BCAC’s Step by Step support and information pack which is distributed free-of-charge to the thousands of Kiwi women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
The support pack has recently been updated and now includes specific information on dealing with the emotional fallout of a breast cancer diagnosis, fertility issues for younger women and a new section on looking after yourself after treatment for breast cancer.
Arnott’s Tim Tam have been strong supporters of BCAC and Step by Step since 2008 and in doing so have played a key role in helping New Zealanders with breast cancer understand the disease and make more informed decisions about treatment.
To support BCAC’s work in helping New Zealand women with breast cancer, be sure to purchase Arnott’s Tim Tam biscuits from Countdown supermarkets between May 12 and June 8 and 20 cents from your purchase will go to the Coalition.
For an opportunity to win Penny Stotter’s beautiful ceramic plate and a year’s supply of Tim Tam biscuits, visit BCAC’s website, BCAC’s facebook page www.facebook.com/BreastCancerAotearoaCoalition, or the Arnott's Tim Tam facebook page
