Civic Centre turns pink for breast cancer awareness

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Penrith City Council will light up the Civic Centre in support of Pink Up Penrith.

The building is set to be awash with pink from tonight (Tuesday 5 October) to serve as a reminder for residents that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM said Council proudly backs the great work of Pink Up Penrith, a campaign that has funded three McGrath Breast Cancer Nurses for Nepean Hospital through the McGrath Foundation.

“Research shows 1 in 7 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and it is estimated that 55 people are being diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia every day – these figures show just how important it is that we have adequate care available,” Cr McKeown said.

“Council is thrilled to take part in Pink Up Penrith by lighting up our Civic Centre a shade of pink to raise awareness in our City, to help those affected as well as their families.

“We know that when we work together, this community can achieve great things.”

Now in its fourth year, the Pink Up Penrith campaign is seeing people decorate their homes and other belongings pink.

Pink Up Penrith Ambassador and President, Gai Hawthorn, said with the community’s support of the initiative has raised $138,719.10 to date.

“It’s important that we donate locally so that those donations stay local and go to Nepean Hospital. We know it is a tough year, but every $5 makes a difference in someone’s lives as we put the money together,” Ms Hawthorn said.

“With clinics closed because of COVID-19 no one has been getting breast checks so self-awareness is really important this month – when you see your girlfriends or your mum, make sure you remind them to check their breasts,” she said.

Council’s Civic Centre will be lit up pink every night, from tonight, for October.

For more information about Pink Up Penrith or to donate visit pinkuppenrith.com.au.

Photo caption: The Civic Centre will light up in pink in support of Pink Up Penrith.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Tuesday, 5 October 2021.