The Pink Ribbon Rickshaw Tour

Late last year, Joanne Flitcroft came to visit us at the Nightingale Centre and Genesis Prevention Centre with an idea that made us sit up and take notice. When she uttered the words ‘tuk-tuk’ ’10 days’ ‘across the country’, we knew this was going to be extraordinary….

Joanne was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last summer and after having completed her treatment, set out to raise money for Genesis by combining her love for travelling and adventure.

Joanne will be joined by her friends Hannah and Nicole who have both had close family members affected by the disease.

They intend to set off from the Nightingale Centre and Genesis Prevention Centre on 29th June and tuk tuk their way around Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Bristol, Cardiff and back to Manchester.

The tour will take the ladies approximately 10 days and cover 1500 miles – all of which will help raise awareness about the prediction and prevention of Breast Cancer.

Joanne, Hannah and Nicole will be keeping the public updated in the run up to and during their tuk tuk tour.

So, follow their blog on www.pinkribbonrickshaw.co.uk and their twitter feed @pribbonrickshaw.

Sponsor Jo and her friends by visiting their Justgiving page here or by texting “PINK90 £5” or “PINK90 £10” to 70070.

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Tags: adventure, Breast Cancer, charity challenge, Genesis, joanne flitcroft, Manchester, nightingale centre, prediction, Prevention, rickshaw, travelling, tuk tuk

Who knew bag packing could be such fun?

This week has been a fabulous week of festive volunteering with our amazing volunteers helping us raise nearly £1000 at Sainsburys Altrincham and Wilsmlow.

Volunteers got stuck in by wearing our trademark pink tutus and helping the christmas shoppers pack their bags.

A big thank-you to everyone who volunteered, particularly to those in Altrincham who braved the non-stop snow!

 If you are interested in volunteering for Genesis, call the office on 0161 291 4400 or register your interest by emailing info@genesisuk.org

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Tags: bag packing, Breast Cancer, christmas, prediction, Prevention, sainsburys, snow

Can you prevent Breast Cancer?

Woke up yesterday morning to Cancer Research UK’s latest research which suggests that many cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes.

Here at the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal, we were delighted with these findings. Being the only charity in the UK entirely dedicated to the prevention of breast cancer, these findings strengthen our research  as our professors have found that breast cancer is caused by a combination of factors –

• The genes you are born with
• The lifestyle you lead – e.g. diet, weight, exercise
• The environment – cultural, social, ecological

You can therefore be pro-active in the lifestyle you lead and take certain steps to lower your risk.

Having a balanced diet, exercising regularly, drinking less alcohol and not smoking are all factors that can help lower your risk of breast cancer.

So does this mean you have to cut out all your bad habits? In the run up to Christmas, this may seem a little daunting…However, making small changes in your lifestyle over a long term period can make a huge difference.

The old motto “Everything in moderation” is a great message.

To understand the different risk factors for breast cancer and to find out more about our research, click here

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Tags: alcohol, Breast Cancer, Cancer Research UK, environment, genes, Genesis, lifestyle factors, prediction, Prevention, risk, tobacco

The Intermittent Diet Study can help women at high risk of Breast Cancer

Research by Dr Michelle Harvie, a Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal scientist (published in the International Journal of Obesity), has suggested that women at increased risk of breast cancer who follow a two day intermittent diet can successfully lose significant weight.

The findings are seen as significant as there is strong evidence to suggest that excess body fat is an important risk factor for breast cancer. The Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal and others have previously reported that weight loss may reduce risk of breast cancer by up to 40 per cent, though more research would be needed to confirm this.

The intermittent diet restricts calorie intake for two days a week and allows a normal diet on the other days. Changes were assessed in the women’s weight and in the levels of a number of blood hormones believed to be linked with breast cancer. Dr Michelle Harvie,  the only UK dietitian currently looking at the link between diet and preventing breast cancer, led the six month long study.

The results of the study produced effective weight loss results, with an average loss of six kilograms (13.2 pounds). Similar results were produced by women following the normal daily calorie restricted diet; the findings are important because they could give people who are overweight an alternative way to lose weight.

The intermittent diet provided the women with 650 calories (kcal) in the form of two pints of semi-skimmed milk, four portions of vegetables (80g/portion), one portion of fruit, a salty low calorie drink and a multivitamin and mineral supplement.

For more information on the diet and recommended recipes please click here and download the links on the right beneath “Useful Links”. To order The Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Diet call 0161 291 4400.

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Tags: Breast Cancer, Dr Michelle Harvie, Genesis, good housekeeping, intermiettent diet, prediction, Prevention

Roberts Bakery Funds Major Breast Cancer Research Project

Regional family baker Roberts Bakery is delighted to announce that the proceeds from the recent ball it hosted in aid of The Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal will help to fund a major study in to genetic factors that could cause breast cancer.

The ball, which was held at Cranage Hall in Holmes Chapel in September, raised £23,000 for Genesis, the only charity in the UK entirely dedicated to the prevention of breast cancer. The money will fund the first year’s work of  researcher Franchesca Gifford and provide state-of-the-art PCR equipment for the study into genetic variants and breast density. These are both believed to be factors that can cause breast cancer.

 Lindsay Occleston Roberts added: “I am absolutely delighted that the proceeds from the ball have contributed towards such a vital and groundbreaking piece of research. I myself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, so I am extremely enthusiastic about this study which has the potential to predict risk and help many thousands of women avoid this awful disease in the future.”

Chairman of The Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal, Lester Barr stated “In many ways we are at a unique moment in history, as we are closer to understanding how breast cancer might be predicted and prevented. The donation from Roberts Bakery will enable our researchers to understand the causes of mammographic density and more effectively predict which women are most susceptible to breast cancer. Our ultimate goal is to achieve breast cancer prevention within a generation.”

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Tags: ball, Breast Cancer, Cranage Hall, fundraising, Genesis, Holmes Chapel, Lester Barr, prediction, Prevention, Roberts Bakery, SNP's

Stars come out to celebrate the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal’s 15th Anniversary

A host of stars – including Kerry Katona, Paddy Doherty and Coronation Street favourite, Kym Marsh – joined us to celebrate our 15^th Anniversary last Saturday, at the first Genesis Crystal Ball.

 The black tie event – which took place at The Hilton Hotel in Manchester – was an evening full of glitz and glamour!

 Guests were treated to a delicious three-course meal and live music, including performances from motown singer Wayne Allen and band Storm. Key 103’s Darren Proctor acted as MC throughout the evening, keeping us all entertained late into the night.

 There were also a number of fabulous items up for grabs in the live auction, including a tour of the Coronation Street set with Julie Hesmondhalgh and a signed script from 50^th Anniversary live special.

 Over £40,000 was raised, with every penny going to support Genesis’ continued efforts towards building a future without breast cancer.

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Paddy packs a punch!

Just when you think we can’t get another man to pose in our trademark pink tutu, along comes Paddy Doherty!

The former bare-knuckle boxer and My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star was helping to promote our Genesis 15^th Anniversary Ball which takes place on 29^th October 2011 at the Hilton Hotel.

Tickets are selling fast so call the office now on 0161 291 4400 to secure your seats for this fantastic night! Alternatively, book online here.

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Tags: Breast Cancer Prevention, Genesis, my big fat gypsy wedding, paddy doherty, pink tutu, prediction

The Great Manchester Health Experiment

On Wednesday 14th September, Manchester is set to be the scene of an exciting research project – The Great Manchester Health Experiment!

The project seeks to reflect the mood, the music and the face of the population on one day, at two given points in time.

At 9am, for one hour, citizens across Manchester and Salford will be asked to text/email/phone to register their mood by selecting the colour that best represents how they are feeling.

Then they will be encouraged to do some activity during the course of the day which is known to influence health and well being e.g.

• Brisk walking
• Eating more vegetables
• Cutting down on smoking
• Reducing alcohol intake
• Singing
• Dancing
• Being nice to people etc

 They will then be asked to repeat the exercise at 3pm for an hour and experts will monitor changes.

These responses will then be collated and featured on the huge BBC screen opposite the Wheel of Manchester at Exchange square. The Wheel of Manchester will be lit up and for one day only people will be asked to ride in the coloured pod that best reflects their mood.

There will also be plenty of exciting activities in Albert Aquare, opposite Manchester Town Hall – football training from Manchester United, a singalong by the massed choirs of Manchester and an extraordinary simulated hand washing masterclass by hundreds of medical students.

Genesis will also be launching the Million Miles Challenge with mambo/salsa dancing, encouraging people to get fit, get fundraising and help prevent breast cancer.

Find out more here  - join us on the day!

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Tags: bobbi-joe, Breast Cancer, Genesis, great manchester health experiement, prediction, Prevention

The Genesis 15th Anniversary Crystal Ball

The Genesis 15^th Anniversary Crystal Ball

Date:         29^th October 2011

Time:         7:00 pm

Location:   The Hilton Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester

Genesis is pleased to celebrate its 15^th year of fighting breast cancer, and would like to invite you to celebrate with us at our Anniversary Crystal Ball at the spectacular Hilton Hotel in Manchester on 29^th October 2011.

Thanks to your support, over the last 15 years Genesis has helped to fund ground breaking research into the prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer.  It has also been instrumental in the development of Europe’s first breast cancer prevention centre – The Nightingale Centre and Genesis Prevention Centre.

However, with all of these achievements, there is still much work to be done in the fight to make one in ten, none in ten.

So, come and join us at our 15^th anniversary Crystal Ball at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester where you can enjoy a star-studded champagne reception and fantastic entertainment throughout the night.  Individual tickets are £100, however, there are three packages available: bronze, silver and gold for tables of ten or more.

The dress code is black-tie, so dress to impress and come and celebrate with us to the next 15 years in our fight against breast cancer.

To book tickets, please download this form and return to us, however, if you have any questions please feel free to contact the Genesis Team on  0161 291 4400 or email info@genesisuk.org.

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Tags: 15th Anniversary, breast cancer awareness month, Breast Cancer Prevention, celebrities, crystal ball, Genesis, hilton hotel, Manchester

The Genesis Appeal on RedShift Radio

No two days are the same as a fundraiser at the Genesis Appeal!

On Tuesday I found myself at Red Shift Radio’s headquarters, chatting to the lovely Mumtaz Hussain about Genesis and what we do here.

RedShift Radio are an online community radio station and have been broadcasting since September 2010 from their studios in Crewe. The radio is a true community radio station with over 50 presenters and 40 different shows.

After battling nightmarish traffic (lorry on fire on M60, lanes closed, people slowing down to watch the show), I eventually arrived to be greeted by the lovely Mumtaz and fellow guests.

There was Rachael from Whizz Kids, a fantastic charity providing disabled children with essential wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.

Lindsay from Roberts Bakery who are holding a magnificent ball on our behalf on 24th September 2011. Find out  more here

There was also Steve from SG World who held the National Poetry Competition in which 600 school children took part.

Mumtaz kept us entertained as we talked about the work of Genesis, Roberts Bakery, Whizz Kids and SG World. There were also some fantastic and eclectic song requests from our team of guests – Paramore, The Killers, Scouting for Girls, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Neil Diamond!

All in all, it was a great day meeting fellow fundraisers and learning about the work the others do.

Make sure you tune in next Tuesday 12-2pm for more coverage of Genesis!

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Tags: Breast Cancer, Genesis, mumtaz hussain, prediction and prevention, redshift radio, Roberts Bakery, SG World, Whizz Kids