Napthine – Iconic buildings shine pink to raise awareness for breast cancer

· The Victorian Coalition Government lights Melbourne’s iconic buildings
pink to support the Breast Cancer Network Australia’s 2014 Field of
Women event
· Premier will be part of this special event to represent the 15,000
Australians at the MCG to raise awareness for breast cancer at the 2014
Field of Women event
· The Coalition Government provided $150,000 to support the 2014 event

The Victorian Coalition Government is shining a pink light on some of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings to support the Breast Cancer Network Australia’s 2014 Field of Women event and women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Premier Denis Napthine was joined by incoming AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and CEO of Breast Cancer Network Australia Maxine Morand to switch the pink lights on at Parliament House last night.

Minister for Health David Davis, Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge and Minister for Women’s Affairs Heidi Victoria also attended the event.

Old Treasury Building, the Arts Centre Spire and AAMI Stadium will be also be lit up in pink between Thursday 8 and Saturday 10 May.

“The Coalition Government is proud to support this important event, which brings together patients, survivors and their loved ones to raise awareness of breast cancer,” Dr Napthine said.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Victorian women. In 2012, there were 3,693 Victorian women diagnosed with breast cancer and 751 women died from the disease.”

Mr McLachlan thanked the Victorian Government for its support for the Field of Women event and said that raising awareness for Saturday night’s game would encourage all AFL fans to get behind the cause and attend the game.

“The Melbourne Demons and Western Bulldogs have thrown their weight behind this iconic event and the generous support of the Victorian Government will add to the efforts of the AFL community to make a real difference in conjunction with Breast Cancer Network Australia,” Mr McLachlan said.

“I urge as many fans as possible to share this unique experience on the hallowed turf of the MCG this weekend.”

Ms Morand thanked the Victorian Government and the AFL who have provided enormous support for this event.

“It will mean so much to people affected by breast cancer to see iconic Melbourne buildings lit up in pink,” Ms Morand said.

“Melbourne is really showing her heart and beauty in supporting people affected by breast cancer.”

The Coalition Government is supporting a two-week BreastScreen Victoria campaign to create an additional 4,500 breast screen bookings from 18-31 May this year. The free service takes 10 minutes and is undertaken by a woman.

“Early detection of breast cancer increases the chance of survival, and we encourage women between the ages of 50 and 74 to have a breast screen through BreastScreen Victoria every two years,” Dr Napthine said.

Dr Napthine will be part of this special event to represent the 15,000 Australians to form the shape of the ‘pink lady’ at the MCG for this year’s Field of Women event on Saturday 10 May, representing the number of Victorian women and men diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.

Following the Field of Women event, participants will be invited to watch the Melbourne Demons play the Western Bulldogs at the MCG. The Coalition Government provided $150,000 to support the event which is a major fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Network Australia.