In advance of the finals, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association announced an exciting new partnership with the Irish Cancer Society, where the two associations would work together to raise awareness of breast cancer and to turn Croke Park Pink at the 40th Ladies Football All Ireland Finals.
Pink bandanas went on sale at Croke Park on All Ireland Final day, from the Croke Park Hotel and other outlets, along with being available from the LGFA offices from September 16th. The specially designed bandanas were pink, the colour for Breast Cancer Awareness month, and all proceeds from the sale of the bandanas were set to go directly to the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme. 12,000 bandanas were sold.
There is no family in the country that has not been affected by cancer and breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the country with over 2,500 women being diagnosed with the disease every year. Research has shown that the risks of cancer can be reduced drastically through simple lifestyle changes including becoming physically active and maintaining a healthy weight, these are two factors that can be positively affected by taking part in ladies gaelic football which caters for women of all ages and abilities.
LGFA President Pat Quill said ‘The work the Irish Cancer Society do is amazing and we are delighted that we will be able to help out in some small way through helping drive awareness as well as contributing all profits raised from the sales of bandanas directly to help them continue their great work.’
