Roberts Bakery has raised £25,000 – and reached half its target – to help Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention prevent breast cancer forever.
The bakery has pledged to raise £50,000 to help fund groundbreaking gene research. Since October, Roberts’ Every Pink Pack Matters campaign has called for shoppers to pick up one of its special 2.5 million wholemeal loaves in their local supermarket.
Breast cancer survivor Lindsay Occleston, a member of the Roberts family, and Lester Barr, chairman of Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention, announced the impressive milestone at the Nightingale and Genesis Prevention Centre – based at the University Hospital of South Manchester – this week.
The ultimate £50,000 goal will help fund ground-breaking gene research which, in time, could lead to major changes in the UK breast screening service.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with one in nine women developing the disease in their lifetime.
National statistics show that if current trends continue, the number of people battling the disease could increase by 12% over the next 10 years, which is why Genesis’ work is so vital as the UK’s only charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of the disease.
Lester Barr said: “Gene research is an essential part of predicting breast cancer. Changes to the breast screening process will play a key role in identifying those with a high risk, and ultimately, could prevent the disease.
“Around 2,000 women in Greater Manchester are diagnosed every year and we’re currently working closely with the NHS to monitor outcomes of this latest research project, with a view to personalising the screening programme for future generations.”
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