The team at LJ Hooker Wingham were busy in the kitchen on Sunday.
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Despite sweltering conditions they baked and iced an estimated160 dozen pink cupcakes continuing the annual tradition to raise funds for breast cancer research.
After Julie Bale, Principal of LJ Hooker Wingham lost her sister to breast cancer, Julie's daughter Sarah came up with the inspired idea to hold a cake stall while working at LJ Hooker in 2009.
"My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 after finding a small lump in her breast," Julie said.
Chemotherapy followed for a couple of years and Lisa went into remission.
She was required to have additional treatment in 2005 but chose to use herbal treatment, losing her battle in June 2006 at the young age of 41 years.
Sarah's idea to raise funds for breast cancer research took on a momentum of its own, particularly when she decided to make it fun and focus on a Pink Ribbon Cupcake drive with hot pink cupcakes, pink icing and white decorations.
This was so well supported by the local community that the event has grown exponentially in popularity each year; so much so that $8500 has been raised over the last five years.
"Initially, staff at LJ Hooker Wingham came on board volunteering their time to bake and decorate at my daughter Kylie's home kitchen, but as the orders increased, we needed larger facilities," Julie said.
"Wingham High School kindly allowed us to use their kitchen with LJ Hooker Wingham staff, family and friends being roped in for extra help.
"We personally ask all local businesses in Wingham and Taree for orders, plus friends and family of everyone involved; we also send out coloured flyers and post the event on LJ Hooker's Facebook page."
All orders are prepaid and collected from LJ Hooker's office on Pink Ribbon Day each year.
"Remarkably, our orders started at 20 dozen in 2009 and last year we sold a whopping 220 dozen - that's 2640 cupcakes!", stated Julie.
"LJ Hooker Wingham supplies the office with a Pink Ribbon t-shirt which we wear on Pink Ribbon Day.
"Everybody has a mother, grandmother, maybe sister, wife or girlfriend, so everybody will benefit from any progress in finding a cure," Julie said.
"Cancer Council's Pink Ribbon helps raise awareness and funds in support of Australian women affected by breast and gynaecological cancers," stated Sarah Rogers, Cancer Council NSW Community Relations Coordinator. "Cancer Council NSW is hoping to raise $3.66 million in NSW to help fund vital cancer research, advocacy programs, cancer prevention programs and patient support services.
"The Cancer Council is the only cancer charity in Australia that funds research to beat breast and gynaecological cancers while also supporting the entire cancer journey."
You too can hold a Pink Ribbon event like Julie, her family and work colleagues to help Cancer Council realise its mission to find a cure for breast and gynaecological cancers.
Together we can achieve this goal.
For further information on how simple it is to hold a Pink Ribbon fundraiser ring Sarah Rogers on 6659 8403; mobile 0422 083 988 or email Sarah on sarahrog@nswcc.org.au.