Have you ever wanted to bedazzle your home with festive lights to bring Christmas cheer to your community?
Well, this year SPAR and EUROSPAR have come up with a novel idea and are doing just that for the Chambers’ family in Kilmacanogue village in north Co. Wicklow and have arranged to turn their home a wonderful PINK for survivors of Breast Cancer and to highlight the wonderful work being done by their joint official charity partner, National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI).
Ruth-Anne Chambers was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in January 2022, went through six months of chemotherapy treatment, a mastectomy and reconstruction surgery followed by radiotherapy and a four-month clinical drug trial. In May of this year (2024) she encountered a setback but is thankfully now clear following surgery during the summer.
To celebrate her wonderful recovery, Ruth-Anne, her husband Chris and three fabulous daughters, Isla (17 years), Daisy (14 years) and Evie (12 years) have proudly turned their home into a wonderful PINK beacon of celebration and hope for all survivors of breast cancer and as a support to all women and men affected by breast cancer.
Ruth-Anne and her family were absolutely thrilled to show their support for the work being done by National Breast Cancer Research Institute Ireland
“I am so thankful that the NBCRI are working tirelessly to fundraise and raise awareness about breast cancer,” said Ruth-Anne. Research and early detection are so important in improving outcomes for patients and their families, who are also affected by this disease. I genuinely feel that I would not be where I am today if it had not been for the support we received from our family, friends and community not to mention the medical team, hospital staff and all the people we met along the way, as we navigated our way through what was a very challenging time.”
In total, it took five people working a full day to “dress” the Chambers home in more than 160 strings of pink lights across multiple themes – Stars, Reindeer, Christmas lights, Santa Sleighs, Classic Christmas lights, Paper Lanterns and even Christmas wreaths – to bring the concept to life and it was absolutely worth the effort as the home looks resplendent and is a wonderful beacon of home for all affect by Breast Cancer.
Commenting, Suzanne Weldon, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, BWG Foods said, “We are very proud of our joint charity partnership between SPAR and EUROSPAR and National Breast Cancer Research Institute Ireland. Our nationwide network of SPAR and EUROSPAR community retailers are very passionate about raising funds and awareness that will positively impact people across Ireland effected by breast cancer. Ruth-Anne’s story is a story that will resonate with so many women, men and families throughout Ireland and we are delighted to help ‘shine a (PINK) light’ on their work.”.
The National Breast Cancer Research Institute is a national charity that funds a comprehensive research programme that has helped improve the diagnosis, treatment options, and outcomes for those who develop the disease. The research team, in collaboration with universities and hospitals across the globe, focuses on the development and improvement of diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies, to drive real and measurable improvement in clinical outcomes for breast cancer patients.
To learn more, visit https://breastcancerresearch.ie/ or to donate, please visit your local community SPAR or EUROSPAR and donate in store.
