Its4women partnered with Action Cancer, pledging to match all fundraising up to the value of £30,000 per year, totalling a financial commitment of £90,000 from 2019 to 2022. Even though the pandemic seriously impacted fundraising activities carried out by the general public, its4women generously stood by their pledge and donated the maximum £90,000. 

To date the campaign has generated over £153,000 and provided nearly 1,500 breast screenings for local women.

Action Cancer’s breast screening service is unique to Northern Ireland and is available to women aged 40-49 and over 70 — those who fall outside the NHS screening age range (50 – 70).

The service is always free to the user. However, each appointment costs the charity £120.

With no regular government funding Action Cancer is reliant upon community and corporate fundraising in order to deliver this life-saving service which is available both at Action Cancer House in Belfast and on board the Big Bus mobile screening unit which travels to over 200 locations each year.

For every 1,000 breast screenings Action Cancer detects six cancers, meaning the ‘Breast Friends’ partnership with its4women has potentially saved the lives of nine local ladies and has given peace of mind to hundreds of others.

Michele Cowan is an Action Cancer Breast Cancer Ambassador. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 following a screening appointment at Action Cancer House. In 2022 she is marking five years since her cancer diagnosis. Michele said:

“It is thanks to Action Cancer that my cancer was detected early. It was my third time attending for screening with the charity which just shows how important it is to continue to attend routine screenings every two years. Following my diagnosis, I underwent surgery and radiotherapy and began taking tamoxifen. I had my five-year oncology appointment on 4th July 2022 where they recommended all medication to be stopped which was just great news. I am so thankful to Action Cancer for providing this free service. Without it my story could have been very different.”

Following the success of the ‘Breast Friends’ campaign, its4women has extended its partnership with Action Cancer to last until 2025, and a renewed promise to match all public fundraising for a further three years, up to the value of £90,000. This will mean more breast cancer detections for local women and we are delighted to be involved in such a worthy cause.