Keeping abreast of cancer
Navy lends its support to the Breast Cancer Foundation to help raise awareness for Purple Bra Day. Gary Booth reports.

Volume 49, No. 9, June 1, 2006

A phone call to Defence Public Affairs from the Breast Cancer Foundation of WA seeking Navy support in promoting their Purple Bra Day on June 2, saw a quick response from personnel at AUSCDT Four.

The Foundation has come up with a novel fund-raising idea. In addition to the Purple Bra Day, the Foundation has also started selling purple dog tags, and the association of uniforms and dog tags has given rise to the photograph idea to promote the item.

LCDR Ashley Shanks, CO AUSCDT Four, was happy for personnel from his unit to support this worthy charity and soon had “models” ready to assist photographers from two newspaper organisations and our Navy photographers.

The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA Inc aims to improve the quality of life for women living with breast cancer.

Since its inception, the Foundation has provided practical, financial and emotional support to hundreds of WA women and their families who are faced with the challenges of life following a diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer.

The Foundation’s breast cancer awareness programs are promoted using its “I’m Breast Aware, Are You” slogan and its purple bra symbol.

The Foundation’s message is to keep the public aware that early detection saves lives and that being aware of changes in women’s bodies is of the utmost importance.

For those in WA wishing to support the Breast Cancer Foundation, the dog tags are available in various outlets for five dollars, as are the trendy purple mobile phone straps and wrist bands for three dollars.

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