15,000 people will stand together on the MCG in the shape of the iconic Pink Lady on Saturday 10 May 2014 to show their support for the growing number of Australians personally affected by breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and the AFL announced today that tickets are now on sale for Field of Women 2014 which will be held just before the Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs match. The Victorian Government also announced its support for the event at a launch breakfast hosted by the Melbourne Football Club at the MCG this morning.
The Field of Women is a powerful human display that brings the statistics of breast cancer to life. 15,000 participants will stand in bright pink ponchos and 125 in blue to represent the number of Australians who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.
Maxine Morand, BCNA CEO, said taking part in the Field of Women was a truly unforgettable experience.
“I was invited to take part in the Field of Women in 2010 when I was Victorian Minister for Women’s Affairs and took along a close friend who was a breast cancer survivor. I was really overwhelmed by the emotional impact of the event.”
The following year, Maxine was herself diagnosed with breast cancer and then became CEO of BCNA.
“Standing on the Field of Women this year with my friends and family will take on a whole new meaning after my own breast cancer experience. For me, it offers an opportunity to reflect on my own cancer experience and stand with others who have been affected or who have lost someone they love.”
Maxine was joined at the launch event by Melbourne Football Club coach Paul Roos and captains Jack Grimes and Nathan Jones.
The AFL has thrown its support behind the event and CEO Andrew Demetriou called on everyone, no matter which team they support, to come along on Saturday 10 May 2014.
“Breast Cancer Network Australia is a longstanding community partner of the AFL and together with Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs Football Clubs, we encourage AFL fans and all members of the community to take part in the Field of Women event,” Andrew said.
“Field of Women sends a powerful message of community and the AFL is proud to be involved in such a special and significant event which brings thousands of people together in support of Australians affected by breast cancer.”
Every day, 42 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer and seven will lose their lives to the disease. This year alone, more than 15,200 Australians will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Maxine encouraged everyone to take part and show their support for breast cancer on 10 May.
“The Field of Women is an incredibly moving experience and you don’t have to have had breast cancer to take part. Everyone is welcome join us and we hope to see many partners, supporters, family and friends standing alongside breast cancer survivors.”
“The Field of Women is now an iconic event held on the best stadium in the world that brings so many people together, from the individuals standing on the field to the rival clubs taking part,” Maxine said. “We are very grateful for the Victorian Government support for this special event.”
When the Field of Women was first held in 2005, 11,500 people took part to represent the number of women diagnosed that year. Nine years later, BCNA needs more than 15,000 people to represent the number of Australians who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.
Tickets for Field of Women 2014 are on sale now and cost $55. The ticket price includes a pink poncho, backpack and entry to the game. All proceeds from tickets go to BCNA to ensure it can continue its work supporting Australians with breast cancer and their families. BCNA acknowledges the generous support of its sponsors in making this possible.
Previous Field of Women events have completely sold out, so get in early to secure your tickets to attend this year’s event. For further information and to purchase tickets to the Field of Women, please visit www.bcna.org.au
| FIELD OF WOMEN 2014 | |
|---|---|
| WHEN | Saturday 10 May 2014 5pm onwards before the Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs AFL match |
| WHERE | MCG, Melbourne |
| TICKETS | $55 and include a pink poncho, backpack and entry to the AFL game. All proceeds from tickets go to BCNA to support Australians with breast cancer. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketek |
| QUESTIONS | For more information about this event download the FAQ document here |
For media enquiries please contact:
Laura Crowden | BCNA Media Manager | (03) 9805 2576 | 0421 784 254 | lcrowden@bcna.org.au
Amy Hattam | AFL Community Media Manager | (03) 9643 1783 | 0423 505 083 | amy.hattam@afl.com.au
High-res images of today’s launch and previous Field of Women events available upon request.
