Going pink for breast-cancer research

BY MARC LALONDE



The West Island will be awash in pink next spring when over 140,000 pink tulip bulbs, planted to symbolize the fight against breast cancer bloom in Pointe Claire, Pierrefonds and many other locations across the island of Montreal.

Avon Canada began its annual breast-cancer research campaign last Wednesday morning at the Avon Canada head office in Pointe Claire, while about the same time, the Pierrefonds/Roxboro borough administration was getting started on their campaign.

Borough mayor Monique Worth was in high spirits as she planted bulbs at the Marcel Morin Community Centre, highlighting her personal enthusiasm for raising awareness to a disease that has killed 140,000 women since 1986.

“When I heard that Avon wanted to partner with (Montreal) to plant tulips in an effort to attract attention on the fight against breast cancer, I immediately asked that a site in Pierrefonds/Roxboro be identified so we could participate in this initiative,� Worth said. “Like them I believe that every gesture, small or grand, symbolic or real, is an important key to helping men, women and children learn more about this awful disease, what early screening methods are available and how important it is for everyone to get involved and be generous in their support to patients and research. I hope the tulips that bloom each year on our community centre grounds will be a gentle reminder to those who visit here that there is always more to be done and that everyone, in their own way, can contribute in the fight against breast cancer.�

The emotional ceremony was commemorated with a bronze plaque inscribed with the date and the motivation behind the pink floral display as a reminder that breast cancer affects mothers, daughters, wives and friends every day.

At Avon Canada’s office, company president Scott Schlackman expressed hope that the tulips’ bloom will serve as a constant reminder to keep up the fight.

“Avon is planting tulips in honour of the thousands of Canadian women and their families who have been affected by breast cancer. We hope that through this initiative, we will create awareness for the need to continue to fund research. When the 140,000 tulips bloom next spring, they will represent a sensitive and positive message of hope not only in our community but in communities across the country.�

The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has raised more than $12.5 million in Canada and more than $450 million worldwide to fund breast-cancer research since 1992.

“We want to salute everyone who has supported breast-cancer research, sold our crusade products, been a friend or a caregiver to someone with breast cancer, been an advocate for breast cancer and to all those who have survived the disease and those who have not,� said Avon Canada director of communications Roberta Lacey. “Pink tulips are the perfect representation of our commitment to this cause and belief that a cure will be found. By investing in research, a cure will bloom in time.�

To learn more about Avon Canada’s Breast Cancer Crusade, visit www.avon.ca.">www.avon.ca.">www.avon.ca.