Health authority initiatives highlight Breast Cancer Awareness month

Oct 11, 2017 | 6:37 PM

One of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous health authorities is asking women to donate their old bras.

The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) is collecting cash donations along with old bras in an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer. At the end of the month all of the collected bras will be strung together to create “the longest bra line Prince Albert has ever seen.”

“What we’ve asked people to do is donate a bra, or as many bras as they want, as well as five dollars,” Heather Bighead from NITHA said. “Our hope is to use the field which is right behind our office. We’re hoping to make the Breast Cancer pink ribbon symbol.”

Bighead said NITHA has always participated in some form of fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness. The health authority has set a personal goal of raising $3,000, which will be chipped away at through several different events.

“Breast Cancer effects not only women, it also effects men. I don’t know that many people know that,” Bighead said. “We want to raise not only funds; we want to raise awareness about self-examinations and things to watch for, and things to look for.”

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NITHA has numerous events planned to raise funds.

A garage sale will be hosted on Oct. 20 at the NITHA offices in Prince Albert. A steak night will be hosted at Shenanigans on Oct. 29. On Oct. 30, a pancake breakfast will be hosted to kick off the bra line’s construction. Orders of 10 plates or more will be delivered, according to Bighead.

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas