Pair goes pink to improve breast cancer research

BREAST cancer has always been present throughout Connor Prebble’s life.

“My grandma had it, my mum’s had it, I had an aunty who passed away of cancer, the mum of one of my best friends had it, and a high school mate’s mum passed away from it,” he said.

Wherever possible, Mr Prebble has always coordinated fundraising campaigns to show his support. His latest effort has been to ‘go pink,’ alongside his partner, Alia Ryan, embracing bright hair dye for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

He hopes their vibrant initiative will start conversations, raise awareness and funds for research, so a third generation of his family doesn’t experience the disease.

“Everyone knows what breast cancer is, but not everybody knows what it’s like to have someone in your life deal with it.

“I’ve been out of high school for four years. If I post a photo on Facebook, suddenly with pink hair, guys I haven’t spoken to in years will notice and wonder why,” Mr Prebble said.

“There’s some shock factor there, people might get thinking and donate.”

With a biomedical and nursing background, he has a keen interest in this sector of science.

“Raising money for research is very important to me.”

Miss Ryan and Mr Prebble became a couple at 16 years old, just months after his mum, Pauline was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was able to support Connor through that, and although Pauline is past that point in her life, we can still work together to raise money for people that haven’t yet been diagnosed, or family members in the future that could go down that path,” she said.

“The statistics are quite scary, and we have a lot of girls in our family, so it’s always good to improve research for the people that don’t have it, and the people that do now.”

Although she’s been hesitant to visit the doctor throughout the COVID-19 period, Miss Ryan emphasised the importance of making an appointment regardless of the climate, to follow up any breast changes or concerns.

“If you do find something, go now, because waiting a few weeks or months is not going to help anything. It’s better to get diagnosed early than later on down the track when it’s too late,” she said.

Hairdresser, Leanne Gargeeg dyed the couple’s hair pink last week. A breast cancer survivor, she’s proud of their advocacy.

“What they’re doing is truly amazing. I’m so excited that I’m part of it. It’s about getting women to be aware because early detection is so important,” she said.

“I had stage two, verging on stage three. I was lucky to have been diagnosed when I was. It’s a very long journey, but if women can detect it early, they’ve got a much better chance of survival.”

Visit fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/connorandalia to show your support before the campaign concludes at the end of June.

Mr Prebble’s past fundraising campaigns have included the coordination of a Relay for Life team, and having his head shaved.