UNISON Annual Pink Party raises much needed funds for cancer charities

THE Omagh and Fermanagh Health Branch of UNISON recently held it's second annual 'Pink Party' in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer Care and Cancer Research NI with all monies raised going to breast cancer charities.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer supports a programme of cutting-edge biological research to reach their vision of 'a future free from the fear of breast cancer'. Through their research, they will increase their understanding of breast cancer, leading to improvements in diagnosis, treatment, quality of life and prevention of the disease.

 
The second charity, Cancer Research UK, is the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. Their groundbreaking work has saved millions of lives. Their research has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival rates for cancer double in the last 30 years. They recognise that too many lives are devastated by cancer so its vital that they continue their work that is entirely publicly funded.

The event was part of UNISON's on-going membership participation scheme but with a particular emphasis on raising as much money as possible for this very worthy cause.

Those attending on the night were ferried to and from the Erne and Tyrone County hospitals to Mahon's Hotel, Irvinestown, where there was an excellent buffet, great music and a raffle with the prizes donated from UNISON Membership Services.

The amount raised through this event was £1,638 including £200 from the UNISON region and £100 from the Royal Group of Hospitals Branch of UNISON. It was agreed that the money be divided between the local Cancer Research unit in Omagh and Breakthrough Cancer Research.

To date a total of £3,114 has been raised through the two events.

The branch organising committee would like to thank everyone for their generous support, it was a great night for members, families and friends and helped us to raise much-needed funds to heighten awareness of breast cancer care and research.