Cornmarket teams up with Breast Cancer Ireland to promote good breast health awareness in schools
27 August 2018: Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd has today announced its sponsorship of Breast Cancer Ireland’s Breast Health Education and Awareness programme for both teachers and transition year students nationwide. The aim of the programme is to encourage and educate women about good breast health from a young age so that if an abnormality occurs it will be identified early and the treatment outcome will be more positive.
The programme involves Breast Cancer Ireland’s nurses presenting – to schools nationwide – in a way that is designed to be friendly, informative and non-intrusive for teachers and transition year students alike. Using a medically induced mannequin that shows the eight symptoms of breast cancer, the nurses educate young female students and teachers on how to perform a self-breast examination, recognising the symptoms and encouraging them to download Breast Cancer Ireland’s free Breast Aware App. Over the course of the coming ‘Back to School’ weeks, an awareness campaign will be rolled out to encourage teachers and principals to book in free demonstrations for their transition year students and colleagues.
Commenting on Cornmarket’s sponsorship, the company’s Head of Marketing Lisa Kelly said, “Cornmarket is delighted to announce our sponsorship of Breast Cancer Ireland’s Breast Health Education and Awareness programme. The programme is all about building awareness at a young age in order to help with early detection and intervention to ultimately save lives. As Ireland’s largest health insurance broker, Cornmarket recognises breast cancer as one of the main illnesses that could affect our customers. Together with our strong connection with the education sector, the development and support of this important breast health and awareness programme is a natural fit for Cornmarket and one that we are truly energised to get behind and make a success.”
30% of breast cancer cases diagnosed each year affect women aged between 20 and 50. Together, Breast Cancer Ireland and Cornmarket want this figure reduced considerably, and see this latest education programme as playing a critical part in achieving this goal. Speaking at the launch of Cornmarket’s sponsorship, Breast Cancer Ireland CEO Aisling Hurley said: “Having Cornmarket on board for this important programme cannot be underestimated. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the treatment outcome. Thanks to the financial support that comes with Cornmarket’s sponsorship we will be able to extend our reach throughout Ireland, raising awareness and ultimately saving lives.”
Also attending the Cornmarket sponsorship announcement with Breast Cancer Ireland was 31-year-old Emma Cassidy, a secondary school teacher and a recent breast cancer survivor. Commenting on the significance of the programme, Emma said, “I was so shocked to learn of my diagnosis as I thought breast cancer was an older woman’s disease. Never did I think it could happen to me, but I am adamant not to let it define me and determined to ensure that my fellow female colleagues in education become more breast aware and understand good breast health.”
To learn more about the Breast Health Education and Awareness programme, or to register for a presentation, schools are encouraged to visit the Education Awareness section here.
