A Shrewsbury businesswoman who has recently undergone chemotherapy for breast cancer hosted a ‘pink cocktail evening’ this autumn to raise money for research into the disease.
Clare Jenkins, who owns bar and restaurant Henry Tudor House off Wyle Cop, organised the event as part of a ‘wear it pink’ day in the town which netted over £1,000.
“I wanted to do something to raise money and awareness for the Breast Cancer Now group in Shrewsbury,” said Clare, who was treated at the Lingen Davies Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
“This is a disease which affects so many people’s lives and I have personal experience of it.
“We are fortunate to have a very active and vibrant charity support group in Shrewsbury so it was a pleasure to help by organising the pink cocktail evening at Henry Tudor House and we will be hosting another in the new year, together with a music evening in aid of the charity.”
Tina Boyle of the Breast Cancer Now Fund raising group said that the pink day had been a resounding success
She said: “We asked as many people as possible to dress in pink – it was an opportunity for the town to have a little fun and raise some vital funds at the same time. Retailers such as Carol Grant and Acoustic Boutique in The Square were great supporters of the event.
“The Breast Cancer Now campaign aims to make breast cancer a thing of the past – by 2050 want to make sure that no-one else dies from this dreadful disease.
“Our Shrewsbury group recently visited the Institute of Cancer Research in London – and specifically the breast cancer research division – where we were introduced to different teams who are carrying out research into genetic and environmental causes of breast cancer to improve diagnosis and tailor treatment.
“The teams there were responsible for identifying the breast cancer gene BRCA2 which has enabled families with a history of the disease to be assessed for future risk and helped look at new therapies to target that strain of cancer.
“It was amazing to see teams of scientists working to find cures and improve drugs and made all our fundraising efforts mean so much more…we could see why we need to keep doing what we are doing – so that Breast Cancer Now’s pledge is kept,” she said.
The Shrewsbury support group was created eight years ago with the aim of fundraising on behalf of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and subsequently Breast Cancer Now.
Members organise regular fundraising events, including fun rides and walks and charity stalls.
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