Labour MPs joined forces with Breast Cancer Campaign for its award winning fundraising event, Wear It Pink, on Friday 31 October 2008.

Labour colleagues gathered together in Parliament this week wearing an assortment of pink clothing to promote the event. It marks the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK and the MPs wanted to raise awareness of the campaign which hopes to raise £3.5 million this year.

The Wear it Pink campaign and breast cancer awareness month are important ways of promoting breast awareness and ending the suffering faced by thousands of women each year.

Alan Johnson MP, Labour’s Health Secretary said:

“I am pleased my colleagues are wearing it pink to raise breast cancer awareness and highlight the great work of Breast Cancer Campaign. We have made good progress on cancer, saving 1,400 lives a year through the NHS breast screening programme and cutting waiting times for cancer treatment, but we must continue to improve.

“Better awareness, prevention and treatment can help us win the fight against breast cancer.“

Labour’s Gateshead East and Washington West MP Sharon Hodgson, Secretary of The All Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer, said:
 
“I’ve been committed to campaigning on breast cancer issues ever since my best friend was diagnosed with the disease at the time of my election in 2005. I’ve seen first hand the effects of the disease on women and their families and that is why it is so important to me that we keep campaigning here in Parliament.
 
“It was great to see so many of my Labour colleagues looking pretty in pink and I know that together with the support of the Government we can continue to achieve results which improve the awareness, prevention and treatment of breast cancer across the UK.”
 
Taking part in wear it pink couldn’t be easier. Whether you are in an office, at school, or simply popping to the shops, on 31 October donate £2 and wear an item of pink, the more daring the better.

Your donation will allow Campaign to continue funding innovative world class research across the UK. To help Campaign reach this year’s target of £3.5 million, take part in the UK ’s original and best pink day. Call freephone 0800 107 3104 or visit www.wearitpink.co.uk and register to receive your free fundraising pack now.