NEXT raising thousands for breast cancer research

10 October 2006

Leading women’s lifestyle magazine, NEXT, aims to raise more than $20,000 for breast cancer research from sales of its November 2006 issue, on sale today.

NEXT will donate 50 cents from every copy sold to The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. In the past six years the magazine has donated more than $75,000 to breast cancer education and research.

Breast cancer is the number two killer of women in New Zealand, behind heart disease. Each year 600 New Zealand women die from breast cancer – almost two every day.*

The November issue features NEXT’s ground-breaking 33-page Breast Cancer Special Report. Published to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the annual report is a key part of NEXT’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of New Zealand women.

This year’s report features high-profile New Zealanders including TV’s Alison Mau, sportswoman Bernice Mene, actress Robyn Malcolm and musician Kirsten Morelle.

The report’s focus is on the very latest medical research, including a revolutionary trial by pioneering New Zealand breast cancer researcher Dr Paul Ellis, which is set to transform the way women are treated.

The report also features inspiring real life stories of courage and survival, such as Tauranga couple Helen Woods and Stan Gregec, who speak frankly about how Helen’s diagnosis has affected their relationship. NEXT Editor Susannah Walker said donating money from every November issue sold was a tangible way to make a difference which every woman who bought the magazine became a part of.

“New Zealand has the sixth highest death rate from breast cancer among developed countries – a truly alarming figure. NEXT is dedicated to informing women about breast cancer so that more lives are saved through early detection.”

NEXT’s fundraising project was welcomed by the Executive Director of The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, Helen Mawn. “It is wonderful to see a magazine such as NEXT supporting our work in such a direct and wholehearted way,” she said. “The money raised will help us to continue our vital education and research programmes.”

NEXT’s initiative follows its inaugural nationwide Health and Wellbeing Survey in April 2005, whose alarming findings about the mental health of New Zealand women received widespread media coverage.

ENDS