ANZ Bank backs Pinktober

03 October 2017, 12:00AM

ANZ and the Samoa Cancer Society have joined forces to launch Pinktober in style.

They have done this by unveiling ANZ’s hot pink MENA Fashion ATMs downtown Apia to kick off a month of breast cancer awareness and fundraising.

ANZ hosted a wellness talk by the Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Leao Talalelei Tuitama and President of the Samoa Cancer Society, Lauaki Jason Annandale, at the main Apia Branch attended by staff, customers, members and friends of the Samoa Cancer Society.

“I am very proud that ANZ is once again involved in Pinktober, a cause we’ve been supporting for five years in Samoa to spread the word and creating greater awareness about breast cancer,” said ANZ Samoa Country Head, Bernie Poort.

“We have donated $20,000 this year to help the Samoan Cancer Society with this year’s Pinktober Campaign.” 

Mr. Poort highlighted that breast cancer is the second highest killer of women in Samoa today and in the last 12 months over 60% of new cases presented were breast cancer cases to the Samoa Cancer Society.

“Most of these are late stage discoveries and unfortunately the mortality rate here is as high as 90% for these sufferers,” Mr Poort said. 

“Early detection through self-examination, your GP or a scan overseas is absolutely critical and the message is very simple – if it doesn’t feel right then please get it checked out.”

Mr. Poort added: “We know one out of every eight women will suffer from this tragic disease so the danger is very real to everyone, but with early detection survival rates run as high as 95%.”

Mr. Poort said ANZ staff would work with M.F.A.T, D.F.A.T, Ministry of Health and National Health Service in conjunction with the Samoa Cancer Society to raise funds for a mobile mammogram unit for Samoa, with the aim of having this available by the end of the year.

03 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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