Maitland went pink to launch a program promoting the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign and related support services in regional areas.
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The foundation partnered with Maitland Community Unions Alliance and Unions NSW to launch Maitland Men Go Pink at St Mary’s Church on Friday.
Men were targeted because of their supportive role for women with breast cancer but also as sufferers of the disease themselves.
The event raised over $2000 for medical research and invaluable awareness for local breast cancer support services.
Foundation organiser Joyce Chircop said grassroots campaigns tailored to specific areas were the foundation’s latest strategy to combat cancer in the bush.
“Regional places don’t have the support they need,” she said.
“We decided we needed a grassroots campaign to inform about research and support networks.”
Mrs Chircop said the Maitland event was such a success that the foundation was already discussing a Port Stephen’s launch, as well as one for the wider Hunter.
Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison said it was important for the city to raise its hand for the event.
“Maitland rates [of breast cancer] are higher, it’s important to raise awareness here,” she said.
“A huge part of our workforce is in the health sector, we’re a combination of city and country and on a human level we all know someone [who has been diagnosed].”
In 2014, the Medical Journal of Australia reported that regional communities suffer higher rates of cancer mortality.
This was partly attributed to an under supply of medical resources and professionals.
Breast cancer survivor and Maitland Community Unions Alliance representative Keryn Barnett was instrumental in organising the event and delivered a speech on Friday.
“Men are affected by this too,” she told the Mercury.
“Most often it’s their partner, but men also get [breast cancer].
Ms Barnett said she had come to rely on local community services though she initially felt overwhelmed and fell through the cracks when she was diagnosed with the disease.
“The Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation provides things like lawn mowing, school fees, practical day-to-day [things],” she said.
“McGrath nurses deal with counselling and navigating treatment, making your next medical appointment.
“The NBCF deals more with research. It was a whole new world to me.”
