Penny Junor reports to Cancer Focus

  Tickets are now on sale for the annual Cancer Focus Think Pink! luncheon  which will be held at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Friday 19th October.

 Cancer Focus’s Think Pink! campaign runs during October - breast cancer awareness month. The luncheon is the charity’s flagship event which aims to raise awareness and funds to support local women with breast cancer.

  Special guest Penny Junor, a well-known commentator on the royal family over the last 30 years, said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ to be able to attend.

 “Raising awareness of cancer and helping patients and their families inNorthern Ireland is such important work, particularly as cancer seems to be so prevalent these days,” she said.

 “Anything that helps find a cure, stops cancer developing in the first place, or helps those who are affected by it is really worth supporting,” she added.

 “Cancer Focus, the new name for the Ulster Cancer Foundation, provides an excellent service, giving advice and vital support to those who need help. I am very pleased to be invited to speak at this wonderful event and I hope that women of all ages from across Northern Ireland will join us for a fabulous few hours of fun and laughter.

 “Not only will you help support the charity’s work, but it is a fantastic opportunity for women to meet each other, to make new friends and to celebrate. Buy your tickets soon so you don't miss out!"      

Breast Cancer is now the most common form of cancer in women inNorthern Irelandwith more than 1,000 women diagnosed with the disease each year, but survival rates are steadily improving.  Today, there are around 10,000 women with a diagnosis of breast cancer living inNorthern Ireland.

Cancer Focus’s Think Pink! campaign raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and highlights the help available to women who have already been diagnosed. The charity’s wide range of services include Cancer Focus support groups, bra and swimwear fitting service in Belfast, L’derry, Dungannon, Newry and Enniskillen, counselling, art therapy, creative writing, walking groups, Beauty for Life, family support plus aninformation and support helpline. 

All funds raised from the Think Pink! campaign are spent inNorthern Irelandto ensure that the charity’s services for women with breast cancer, provided free of charge by Cancer Focus, continue.

Cancer Focus Head of Appeals and Marketing, Joyce Savage, said: “With Penny taking centre stage at our Think Pink! luncheon, it is guaranteed to go with a swing. As well as a chance to enjoy Penny’s wit, charm and unique insight into the royal family, the luncheon is a wonderful opportunity for us to chat with friends, old and new, and raise funds for a cause close to our hearts. We are looking forward to a super day out.”

Best known for her books on the royal family, Penny has also written about Margaret Thatcher, Richard Burton and John Major, and she assisted Sir Cliff Richard in writing the number one bestseller My Life, My Way. Her TV credits include the consumer programme 4 What It’s Worth on Channel 4, the Afternoon Show on BBC1, and BBC2’s Travel Show. She has also worked for the London Evening Standard and Private Eye.

The Think Pink! luncheon gets off to a sparkling start with a pink champagne reception at 12 noon followed by a two course meal, spot prizes, a talk from  Penny Junor and a chance to win amazing prizes in a grand raffle.

Tickets cost £40 per person and include a complimentary Clarins goody bag. The tickets are available from Kirsty Thompson at Cancer Focus on 028 9068 0771 or email kirstythompson@cancerfocusni.org

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                                                                                                                         BREAST CANCER FACTFILE

• 1,000 women in Northern Ireland discover they have breast cancer each year
• More women than ever survive because the disease is being diagnosed earlier and treatments are better
• Around 80% of women diagnosed are over 50
• All women between 50 and 70 get a postal invitation for free breast screening
• Family history or hereditary risk accounts for 5-10% of all breast cancer diagnosed
• Men can also develop breast cancer – making up 1% of all breast cancers each year 

                                                                                                                 For further information please contact:

                                                                                                       Pauline Wylie, PR & Events Manager, Cancer Focus, on

                                                                                                                   028 9066 3281 / 07810 371118

                                                                                                                                             or

Marie Foy, PR & Events Officer, Cancer Focus, on

028 9066 3281 / 07736 358692