October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Colleagues across the Trust have been hosting ‘Wear it Pink’ events to help raise much needed funds for breast cancer research.
The Cross Bay Stroke team under the guidance of Kimberley Macmillan, FGH Stroke team Nurse Consultant, did an amazing job recruiting many colleagues across the bay to wear pink. Even, more impressively they managed to raise £1150 and still counting, in charitable donations.
The Stroke team who are incredibly passionate about the cause, hosted their event on Friday 18 October at both the Furness General Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary. As well as wearing pink they orgnaised collection points , held cake sales and sold badges. 
The remarkable efforts of the team extended beyond those working on the wards. Clare Irvine - Stroke Advanced Clinical Practitioner, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and is currently going through chemotherapy ascended Gowbarrow Fell in the Lake District, in an awe-inspiring show of determination to beat breast cancer.
‘Wear It Pink’ events like this are vital toward bringing an end to a disease that affects over 600,000 people, with over 55,000 people being diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK. The money the Stroke Team have raised will aid lifesaving research and help toward achieving the goal that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives and is supported to live well by 2050. Find out more information about breast cancer research and what the donations are funding here.
When speaking of the Stroke team’s brilliant achievement Anna Nelson, Medicine Service Manager said: “It was amazing to see so many people getting involved in ‘Wear it Pink’ day.
“The teams raised a considerable amount of money which I'm sure will be of great benefit. Thank you to everyone who bought cakes, pin badges, wore pink and donated to this very important cause.
“It was wonderful to see our hospitals turn pink for the day raising awareness and money!”
As well as raising much needed funds, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also crucial toward educating each of us of the signs and the support that is available. 
It is important that we know how to check for the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Now have put together a really useful set of instructions on what the symptoms of breast cancer are and how to check for them which can be accessed here.
If you would like to donate, or would like more information about breast cancer and the support available please visit: www.breastcancernow.org
