On Wednesday evening (03/02), King’s College Chapel could be seen across Cambridge basking in a pink glow, as the College collaborated with Pink Week 2021 to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer charities.

The event follows a contribution from St Catharine’s College: it turned its boathouse pink on Monday in a light show to promote the start of a week of fundraising efforts. 

Commenting on the decision to get involved with fundraising efforts and light up the Chapel, a spokesperson for King’s College told Varsity: “The College is very pleased to support Cambridge Pink Week in its important mission of raising awareness and encouraging early detection of breast cancer – the most prevalent form of cancer in the UK.”

Pembroke and Murray Edwards have also contributed to the Pink Week efforts, by turning their Porter’s Lodges pink. On Monday (01/02), the Porters at Pembroke could be found sporting the shade in an image posted on social media to promote the aims and activities of Pink Week.

Meanwhile, Porters at Murray Edwards also dressed up for the occasion, and are promoting Pink Week efforts throughout the College with their ‘Thought for the Day’, displayed on boards and digital signage.

The College explained to Varsity that they hope their involvement will assist in “rais[ing] awareness of breast cancer and the importance of checking yourself on a regular basis.”

Pink Week has been a part of Lent term since its inception at Clare College in 2014. The week aims to raise awareness of Breast Cancer symptoms and funds for charities offering support to those in need. This year, the campaign is donating to Breast Cancer Now, Breast Cancer UK, Teenage Cancer Trust, Breast Cancer Haven, Black Women Rising and Coppafeel.

Anna Gray, Co-President of Cambridge Pink Week, told Varsity that “the most lovely thing to come from this year has been the solidarity between students and societies all working together to get the Cambridge community through this tough time, and we hope our events can provide some relief from lockdown.”

She continued: “We knew it was extremely important to run an engaging but Covid-safe Pink Week in order to keep the student community and our committee safe.

“Our charities, and the cancer patients they help, have been hugely affected by Covid-19 and so need our help more than ever, which has driven our determination to keep Pink Week going despite all the restrictions!”

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the initiative could not go ahead with its popular ball as part of the fundraising efforts, but instead has been busy planning remote events while targeting the goals of Pink Week 2021: “education, fundraising, and inclusion,” Gray told Varsity.

Events this year include a breast cancer research talk in collaboration with the Cambridge University Scientific Society, a virtual art exhibition, and health and wellness activities such as yoga and exercise classes.

Cambridge Pink Week comes at a difficult time for cancer charities and patients. Due to the effect of the pandemic on the NHS, many cancer patients face cancelled treatment and operations, which could ultimately increase mortality risk. Lockdown imposes significant restrictions on fundraising events, meaning charities have suffered from a significant drop in income.

Gray noted that the pandemic has affected individuals as well as organisations, saying: “People are now putting off seeking medical advice and attention, thus potentially missing key early signs that, if picked up, could save their life.

“We want to encourage people not to put off going to seek advice from a health care professional, and hopefully, Pink Week will remind people to do so.”

Information and educational resources on breast cancer can be found on the Pink Week website, and you can contribute to fundraising efforts on their JustGiving page.