Waikato locals are being encouraged to gather with friends, family and colleagues this May as part of Pink Ribbon Breakfast, a nationwide campaign supporting breast cancer awareness, research and patient care across New Zealand.
Run by the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, Pink Ribbon Breakfast is the organisation’s largest annual fundraiser and has become a well-established fixture on the national calendar. Each year, thousands of Kiwis host breakfasts, morning teas and workplace events to raise funds and awareness for a disease that affects thousands of women and their families.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in New Zealand, with around 3,500 diagnoses each year nationwide. In the Waikato region alone, about 310 women are diagnosed annually — a figure that highlights the ongoing need for early detection, education and support services.
Funds raised through Pink Ribbon Breakfasts help deliver a wide range of initiatives, including life-saving research, free support services for patients and their families, and education programmes aimed at improving early detection rates.
Chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner said the strength of the campaign lies in its accessibility and community focus.
“We know many households are feeling the pressures of rising living costs right now, but hosting Pink Ribbon Breakfast doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive,” she said. “It can be as simple as a morning tea at home or work, or a catch-up at your local cafe. What’s important is coming together, because every effort counts.”
Rayner said the foundation relies heavily on public support to continue its work.
“As a charity that doesn’t receive any government funding, we desperately need more hosts to make sure our programmes can continue supporting the thousands of Kiwi women who rely on them. Every dollar raised makes a massive difference — by hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast, you’re turning coffee and conversation into something powerful.”
Pink Ribbon Breakfast Day falls on May 21, but events can be held at any time throughout the month, giving communities flexibility to take part in a way that suits them.
Those who register to host receive a free kit with resources, fundraising ideas and guidance, making it easy for individuals, workplaces and community groups to get involved.
For more information or to register, visit pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz. Registrations close on May 31.
