A nationwide campaign aimed at harnessing the power of Nollaig na mBan to raise funds for research into breast cancer has been launched.
Galway-based charity Breast Cancer Research has called on people to host an event on January 6th, women's little Christmas, to help raise awareness and funds.
The charity, which finances study into the disease at NUI Galway, aims to raise €500,000 a year through its campaigns. One in 10 Irish women develops breast cancer in their lifetime and more than 2,500 cases of the disease are diagnosed each year.
For the first time, the charity has launched a nationwide campaign to coincide with Nollaig na mBan, a day traditionally set aside for women to celebrate that has experienced a revival in recent years.
Helen Ryan, chairwoman of the charity, said they were asking people to acknowledge the contribution of women in their lives or communities by hosting fundraising event in homes, workplaces or other venues.
Historic women
Among the events organised is one at Dubarry’s, Ballinasloe, where male staff will be serving their female colleagues at lunch and coffee breaks tomorrow. And, at the Jackie Clarke Collection, a museum in Ballina, there will be a coffee morning and an exhibition highlighting historic Irish women.
Many people have signed up to host events in their own homes, including Lucia Shelly from Dalkey. She said she has been inviting women friends to her home for years on January 6th and had the idea to link the event to breast cancer research. Further information, at breastcancerresearch.ie.
