Splash of Pink high tea

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Breast cancer survivor Sarah Gandry faced her final cancer treatment just before lock-down.

The 36-year-old is one of 3300 New Zealanders diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Gandry joined the Breast Cancer Foundation after enduring a full mastectomy along with months of chemotherapy and radiation.

She is backing the foundation's Splash of Pink High Tea.

Gandry will be a guest speaker at the fundraising event, held on October 31 at Titirangi War Memorial Hall.

An elegant high tea, raffles, a silent auction and music are planned for the 2pm event, hosted by Titirangi company Isometric.

Funds raised will go towards breast cancer research, patient support, education and awareness.

Also speaking will be breast cancer survivor Fay Cobbett.

Cobbett founded MyReflection, which scans women who have undergone a mastectomy to create custom breast prosthesis.

Every year, 650 people die from breast cancer.

Six per cent of New Zealand women under the age of 45 never check their breasts for changes and 37 per cent of them fail to know what to look for, a survey commissioned by the foundation revealed.

Nearly one in eight people aged under 45 said they had ignored a lump or symptom rather than getting it checked by a doctor.

Raising awareness is almost as important as the funds, Isometric co-owner Cheryl Stewart said.

"If we could spread the word and get more people checking themselves, the reality is that we'd save lives."

Go to splashofpink.co.nz for more information.

An English tradition, High Tea originally comprised a cuppa and a scone and was eaten in the late afternoon.

Today, a modern high tea boasts an array of finger foods and a range of boutique teas.