A New Plymouth garden centre has smashed its fundraising target with a Pink Ribbon Breakfast.
Big Jims hoped to beat last year’s total of $1000 but raised a whopping $5640, which it will hand over to the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation.
“The support is just overwhelming,” said owner Linda Cook.
Her garden centre was bursting at the seams on Pink Ribbon Breakfast Day. Women of all ages turned out in every shade of pink, from head to toe.
“They come in vans from rest homes; in fancy dress. They really get into the spirit — it’s overwhelming how supportive they are,” she admitted.
Cook’s team had spent days preparing the nursery, tying pink bows on every pillar, hanging pink flowering baskets, and arranging hundreds of pink garden tools into magnificent displays.
“I’ve got five boys, so pink is the last thing I’ve ever dealt with. Trying a bow is not something I do often,” laughed nursery worker Glenda Lucinsky.
Cook admitted it was a lot of work but said her team had been incredible.
“This is like organising a wedding — planning what to wear; who’s making the cake; who’s on hire. The team works their magic and it just happens.”
Despite the name, Big Jims boasts an all-female team.
“We’ve got all different backgrounds; some that are not mums and some are mums; some, like me, are a nana. We all have different life skills and support each other. It’s an amazing team.”
‘We’re family’
“People don’t just drop in here to buy plants. We’re friends and mentors, and people can share things in confidence — the losses and the life experiences. We’re family.”
Breast cancer was the most common cancer for Kiwi women, with more than 3500 diagnosed with the disease each year. That’s nine women every single day.
Cook was one of them.
“My nana had breast cancer. And my sister was diagnosed at 39 and then again at 54. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 49.
“I have two nieces who had breast cancer. My neighbour was diagnosed a month ago, and a friend just finished going through treatment.”
The Breast Cancer Foundation received no government funding and relied solely on community support to work towards its vision of zero deaths from the disease.
“Linda is one of more than 5700 incredible Kiwis hosting a fundraiser for us this May. We couldn’t do it without them,” said Breast Cancer Foundation chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner.
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Cook said the Taranaki community had been incredibly generous despite the cost-of-living crisis, with local food and beverage providers donating everything required for a delicious breakfast — including chocolate cake.
Other businesses donated spot prizes and goods to be raffled.
“Their response was like, ‘Well done you. How can we help? What do you want? When do you want it?’
“We want to raise as much funds as we can. We want to raise awareness of breast cancer and the high incident rates in New Zealand.
“Bring the community together to allow people to share their stories of breast cancer, the journeys they’ve gone through, and the challenges they’re facing.”
In every home, a heartache
One woman, sporting a pink dressing gown, revealed her own story.
“Excuse my voice, it’s from radiation because I’ve had breast cancer myself. My sister died at 45, my aunty died at 80, I’ve had cousins with it, and my niece was diagnosed at 32, and I was 72. It strikes at any age.”
Her friend, wearing a matching outfit, added, “I lost my mum when I was 18, in 1970, from breast cancer.”
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Then there was Shirley McClutchie, who had just finished treatment.
“My journey started a year ago. We went away for a weekend with friends, and I had a shower and found a lump. A week later, I was diagnosed with cancer. [I] started chemo, had my surgery — a mastectomy — and had 19 lymph nodes removed.
“I finished radiation eight weeks ago.”
Despite that, McClutchie helped serve the breakfast.
“It’s just friends helping friends. Life’s great, and it’s for living,” she smiled.
The money raised from every Pink Ribbon Breakfast goes toward supporting patients, ground-breaking research, and education campaigns to promote the importance of early detection.
The Breast Cancer Foundation said being ‘breast aware’ saves lives.
“Know your normal. Check your breasts regularly. If you notice any unusual changes, get them checked out by your doctor straight away,” said Rayner.
“When tumours are small and haven’t spread, they are easier to treat, making survival much more likely.”
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Mammograms are free every two years for women aged between 45 and 69 through BreastScreen Aotearoa.
“However, the Breast Cancer Foundation recommends you consider a mammogram yearly between the ages of 40 and 49,” Rayner said.
It was a message echoed around the room at the garden centre, one woman urging others to stay vigilant.
“Do self-exams and a mammogram; it’s vital to survival.”
Cook was thrilled with how much money the nursery had raised.
“It’s extremely moving to see there are people out there, businesses out there that are so generous and empathetic. As soon as you say ‘breast cancer’, they’re on board.
“It’s been a humbling experience.”
Their total of $5640 may yet creep higher, with donations still trickling in.
“We have well and truly smashed our target. We are getting bigger and better. How much bigger can we get? I don’t know!”
For more information about the Breast Cancer Foundation and its work, go here.