The new Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI) will play a huge role in one of Australia’s largest breast cancer awareness campaigns, when the National Women’s Hockey Team take to the field in a pink uniforms in their upcoming Champions Trophy match against Argentina in July.
The Pink Ladies Day initiative is a result of the combined efforts of Curtin, CHIRI, Hockey Australia, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and will see the Hockeyroos be the first Australian international sporting team to completely change their playing strip to raise awareness for a charity.
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Curtin’s Faculty of Health Sciences Jill Downie said the partners involved with the initiative all shared common values.
‘A commitment to excellence and innovation are two such values,’ she said.
‘It’s a natural alignment for the University and CHIRI to partner with the Hockeyroos. CHIRI is looking forward to being a part of Pink Ladies Day and the Champions Trophy in Sydney, and wish our Hockeyroos every success.’
National Breast Cancer Foundation regional development executive Claudette Pope highlighted the importance of increasing awareness of breast cancer and breast cancer research to a younger, sports-orientated community.
‘An increase in awareness increases support, and in turn helps our work towards finding a cure,’ she said.
‘Right now one in nine Australian women will be diagnosed with a form of breast cancer before the age of 85.’
The cause will certainly not be lost on young Hockeyroo Casey Eastham when her team runs out for the match.
‘My grandma actually had breast cancer, so it’s something that’s pretty close to me; we’re all pretty excited to be a part of it.’
Midfielder Kate Hollywood said the colours were being well received by those in the Hockeyroos squad.
‘I think it looks really good, it’s really exciting to play in another colour and pink is my favourite colour,’ she laughed.
‘But for us it’s just really exciting to be part of the initiative and help out,’ she said.
