Julie Hughes, of Arrowtown, said she was asking Queenstown and Arrowtown businesses and individuals to give up two hours of their time on October 11 or 12 to help with street collections around the basin.
For the past six years Mrs Hughes and her daughter Megan have raised up to $4000 a year in Arrowtown, to help with information and support services in the district for breast cancer, the most common form of cancer affecting New Zealand women.
This year fundraising efforts had been expanded into Queenstown. The Glebe general manager Anne Henley is co-ordinating Queenstown volunteers, working alongside the Inner Wheel Club which will help collect on October 11.
''For the Pink Ribbon fundraising what I'm looking for is businesses and individuals who are prepared to give up just two hours of their time, get dressed up in pink if they want to, have a bit of a laugh and some fun with it, and set up some key collection points around Queenstown and Arrowtown,'' Mrs Hughes said.
''If people get in touch with me I'll set them up with a time and a place and I'm happy for businesses to also have a collection box at their office."
She hoped to at least double the amount of money raised this year and also promote early detection, which she said was the ''biggest key to decreasing risk and fighting this disease''.
As part of this year's Pink Ribbon events, former C4 presenter and breast cancer sufferer Helena McAlpine will be in the resort to spread the work about early detection and treatment.
The Queenstown Chamber of Commerce has organised a morning tea with Ms McAlpine where she will share her story and provide information about support.
Queenstown breast cancer survivor Diana McIlwrick, will also speak about her experience.
• To help with fundraising, contact Julie@arrowevents.co.nz or 027 633-1252.
• The Chamber of Commerce morning tea is at 10.15am on Friday, October 11 at the Novotel Queenstown.
To register email events@queenstownchamber.org.nz
Breast Cancer New Zealand Facts
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in New Zealand.
• One in three cancers occurring in New Zealand women is breast cancer.
• About 2800 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year - more than seven every day.
• Over 600 women die from breast cancer each year.
• One in nine women in New Zealand will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
• 75% of women who develop breast cancer are 50 years of age and over.
• Maori women have a 66% higher mortality rate than non-Maori.
• One in 10 men in New Zealand will lose a sister, mother, daughter or wife to breast cancer.
• Close to 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive for more than five years after their initial diagnosis.
• While it is uncommon, men can get breast cancer, too.
• The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation recommends annual mammograms for women aged 40-49, then every two years from age 50.
