To kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month Prevent Breast Cancer charity has launched its bright pink double-decker “Boobee” bus in Manchester.
The month-long campaign, aimed at making the city the most breast-aware in the UK, will see the bus tour Manchester and the North West over the next 31 days offering advice and sharing stories of first-hand experience of the disease, in an attempt to inspire others to attend breast cancer screenings.
BreastFest and Prevent Breast Cancer have partnered with Stagecoach Manchester to create the first BooBee Bus, an Enviro400 double decker 78-person bus, which will be able to house a number of medical professionals, fundraisers and BooBees at a time.
The double decker bus, provided by Alexander Dennis Limited, has been wrapped entirely in pink and features the BooBee logo, the emblem of BreastFest – a symbol that represents the creativity, versatility and spirit of Greater Manchester.
Two bras – a strapped and a strapless – form the wings and antennae of BooBee, reinforcing the link to breast cancer.
The bus will tour landmarks of Greater Manchester and will be staffed by BreastFest’s iconic ‘BooBees’ – 100 amazing women who have been personally affected by breast cancer – who will share their experiences, to inform and educate others about the disease.
The bus will also visit workplaces and key landmarks across the region, equipping women with the knowledge they need to become more breast aware.
Nikki Barraclough, executive director at Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “We are taking to the streets and landmarks of Manchester to help inspire and educate its residents.
“Despite breast cancer being such a prevalent disease, there is still a lack of awareness in what to look out for, and how to reduce your personal risk of developing it. BreastFest and the BooBee Bus will help educate people on relevant risk factors, particularly those relating to lifestyle and diet, that we can control.
We’re raising awareness down in Spinningfields! Come on down to learn more about how to be more breast aware and grab yourself a free cocktail from @refinery_mcr, our fabulous hosts for the day! pic.twitter.com/wIXWFDzI9K
— PreventBreastCancer (@wearepreventBC) October 4, 2019
“We’re extremely thankful for all those that have helped our BooBee Bus take flight, from the fantastic team at Alexander Dennis Limited, who have provided the bus and wrapped her in the beautiful BooBee design, to Stagecoach and their amazing drivers who’ll be navigating around the region.
“Ultimately, we want to place Greater Manchester firmly at the heart of this inspiring campaign and encourage women to raise their own awareness levels by introducing them to those who have been personally affected by the disease.”
Margo Cornish, BreastFest founder and charity supporter, said: “We’re thrilled to have recruited so many ‘BooBees’ – women willing to share their personal experiences with breast cancer – and North West-based businesses, in a combined effort and campaign to battle this awful disease.
“The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the chance of beating it – so we’re hoping to get as many women as possible to hop onto the BooBee Bus in October.”
Stagecoach Manchester managing director, Elisabeth Tasker, said: “The BooBee Bus is such a fantastic idea, that has the potential to truly benefit the lives of women in Manchester and ultimately help to save lives.
“We’re so pleased to work with Prevent Breast Cancer and support them in helping educate the public on the early signs of breast cancer and the risk factors associated with this disease. We hope to see you along the way as the BooBee Bus makes its way around the city!”
The BooBee bus will be visiting the following key public locations:
- October 4 – The Refinery, Spinningfields
- October 5 – Afternoon Bee and Talk, Manchester Central Convention Complex
- October 14 – B Works, 48-50 Market St, Manchester, M1 1PW
- October 15 – Manchester Airport Group
- October 21-25 – Network Rail: Piccadilly Train Station Approach
- October 29 – Egencia, an Expedia Inc. Company, at Piccadilly Gardens
Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK charity committed solely to predicting and preventing the disease. To find out more about the campaign and how you can attend one of its events – the BooBee Talk and Afternoon Bee – visit the official BooBee website: www.boobee.co.uk/afternoon-bee-details
For further information visit: preventbreastcancer.org.uk
