TWO thousand five hundred pink rosettes were made for Pink October this year by the Broken Hill Breast Cancer Support & Fundraising Group.
The popular ‘Paint Our Town Pink’ initiative has been running since 2014 – when the first Pink Ball was held.
President of the Support group, Leeann Clogg said things haven’t slowed down over the past weeks.
“It has been a hectic month,” she said.
“We’ve had a full calendar. We’ve helped all the nursing homes go pink; including Shorty O’Neil Village, the North Mine Seniors, Aruma Lodge and Harold Williams Home.
“Shorty O’Neil held an afternoon tea and raised over $1,300.”
Last Sunday, a pink luncheon was held at the BHP Hotel for more than 60 people.
“We’re getting lots of positive feedback that people all had a lovely time,” Ms Clogg said.
“Everyone helped to celebrate those fighting cancer and the cancer survivors.”
Ms Clogg said she was so happy with how pink the town was.
“Council came on board this year and the CBD is awash with pink banners,” she said.
“We’re getting a lot of tourists saying how great the town looks and they think it’s amazing that all the flowers are pink.
“I’m not sure if Council did it on purpose but it’s uncanny to see all the pink roses and pink flowers.”
She said the group was thankful for the community support they continue to receive.
“The town always gets around us, they are so generous,” she said.
This year alone, the fundraising group has donated more than $64,000 for much needed medical equipment.
“In April, we donated $2400 to purchase laser pulse machines – two for the RFDS and two for the community,” she said.
“In June, we donated $1800 to the Palliative Care department at the health service for lymphedema training, an electric lift, CD/radios, over bed tables and multi device chargers.
“Then we purchased a $44,000 Paxman cool cap, which freezes the hair follicles to try and keep hair when a patient goes through cancer treatment.
“After we tally the total raised at the end of the month, we will go back to Oncology and Palliative Care and ask for their wish lists.
“All the money raised stays locally.”
Outside of those donations the group helps provide a free wig bank, offers financial assistance for those diagnosed with breast cancer, prosthesis fittings and the Look Good Feel Better program and Encore Fitness program.
Leeann said the Y’s Men’s Club and Lions Club helped to distribute 350 rosettes around town.
“We made over 2,500 rosettes and we only have about 20 left,” she said.
“Our T-shirts have been walking out the door.
“There was a large variety this year, so it was great to see everyone wearing pink.”
The volunteer group of 20 received a great surprise when they were named Far West Volunteer Team of the Year.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.
The Awards are hosted by The Centre for Volunteering, whose mission is to promote and support volunteering across NSW.
Far West Award recipients will be invited to represent their region at the Gala State Ceremony in Sydney at the end of the year, where the NSW Volunteer of the Year will be announced across each category.
“I cried when the awards were announced,” Ms Clogg said.
“There was a lot of strong competition, it was a big surprise. We were all excited and overwhelmed.”
There will be a finale auction held at the Silver City Workingmen’s club tonight from 5.30pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the raffle and auction.
The Greyhound races will also host a pink fundraiser on Sunday at their twilight meet which opens at 5.45pm.
For every “pink dog” that wins, supporters will donate $100.
“We are so thankful for the whole Broken Hill community and the support they have provided,” Ms Clogg said.
