Cromwell’s ‘welcome’ sign will turn pink in October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The structure is one of 80 landmarks, streets and prominent buildings across New Zealand that will shine under pink lights as part of the Breast Cancer Foundation’s Global Illuminations campaign. 

Other participating sites across Otago include Queenstown’s TSS Earnslaw "Lady of the Lake" and Arrowtown’s Lakes District Museum & Gallery.

Also turning pink for the occasion will be Dunedin’s Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, University of Otago Clock Tower, Otago Museum, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Town Hall, Railway Station, Speights Brewery Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Otago Boys’ High School.

The campaign aims to help Breast Cancer Foundation NZ spread the message that breast cancer is most survivable with early detection.

Shedding light on the campaign also draws attention to the charity’s annual Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, taking place on October 18 to 19. 

Cromwell's welcome sign greets people along SH8B. PHOTO: File

Around the country, thousands of collectors will be shaking their pink buckets, collecting donations for breast cancer research, education campaigns and patient support programmes.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner said October was an opportunity for all New Zealanders to help change the dial on breast cancer.

“One in nine women today will learn they have breast cancer, but early detection is the key to successful treatment,” she said.

“We’re grateful to so many sites in Otago helping us to raise awareness and vital funds this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every dollar donated to the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal will make a massive difference to support Kiwis undergoing treatment and aid us towards our vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.”

Around 240 women are diagnosed with breast cancer across the Southern Health NZ Te Whatu Ora area every year. 

The survival rate for breast cancer if diagnosed early is 92 per cent.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is urging all women to be ‘breast aware’ to give themselves the best chance of surviving breast cancer – that means getting to know the normal look and feel of their breasts, regularly touching and looking for any changes, and getting changes checked by a GP as soon as possible. 

For women aged 45-69, free mammograms are available through BreastScreen Aotearoa every two years.

The Foundation is still looking for volunteers to take part in its Pink Ribbon Street Appeal. 

For more information on this and other ways to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit the Breast Cancer Foundation website.