- Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk played important part in Fundraising Milestone  
 
The Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk committee has plenty of cause to celebrate after helping to raise One Million Euro to benefit the Irish Cancer Society's Action Breast Programme. 
 
To date, over 10,000 people have walked 1,500 kilometres in 15 Pink Ribbon Walks in four  different regions to raise One Million Euro in sponsorship money for the Irish Cancer Society.
 
Since its inception in Kells in County Meath in 2009 by a group of local women, the Pink  Ribbon Walk has turned in to a national movement. Six Walks have taken place in Kells, Killaloe has held Five Annual Walks, there have been three Walks to date in Kinsale and a first Walk took place in Kenmare in May this year. All of the Walks will take place again in 2015 and the overall aim is to keep growing and adding more events and regions to the calendar. Each Walk is organised by an entirely voluntary team of local women. 
 
Therese Bradley, Kinsale Committee PRO said: “The Million Euro was raised through the dedication and commitment of our many amazing volunteers and sponsors – and all the Walkers and Runners who have worked so hard to raise funds and to support all those people that have been touched by Breast Cancer. To date Kinsale has raised â‚¬290,000, a wonderful achievement. It is all about communities, friends, families and individuals walking together in solidarity and remembrance... walking for a future without Breast Cancer.” 
 
The overall aim of the Pink Ribbon Walks is to raise funds for Action Breast Cancer, a  programme of the Irish Cancer Society that reaches over 25,000 women a year. The money raised  has helped and will help the Society to fund a range of vital services, including the Society’s   Collaborative Cancer Research Centre BREAST-PREDICT, the National Cancer Helpline Freefone  1800 200 700, breast cancer information literature, night nursing service, financial aid, a free transport service called Care to Drive and many other essential support services. 
 
John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society said: “The Pink Ribbon Walks have supported the Irish Cancer Society's free breast cancer services and research since 2009 and to date they have raised a phenomenal €1 million for the Society. We are extremely grateful to the committees involved and to all the thousands of women who have put on their runners and walked for the Society. One in ten Irish women will be diagnosed with breast cancer – with the support of Pink Ribbon Walks, we can ensure that no woman has to embark on her breast cancer journey alone.
 
Keep an eye on www.pinkribbonwalk.ie for a series of new blog posts from cancer survivors and some practical advice on reducing your risk of breast cancer and to view a Pink Ribbon Walk video to mark this fantastic fundraising achievement. 
• Pink Ribbon Walk: Visit www.pinkribbonwalk.ie or contact PRO Linda Higgins on 087 686 4319 or email [email protected]
• National Cancer Helpline Freefone 1800 200 700
Photograph by Barry Cronin Photographer