‘Pink Moment’ To Be 30 Minutes Long For National Breast Cancer Foundation’s 30th Anniversary

Sydney New Year’s Eve’s Pink Moment, which returns for a 2nd consecutive year, will be 30 minutes long this edition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), who has proudly been the event’s charity partner for this & the previous edition.

For 30 years since 1994, the NBCF has invested, in Australia, more than AUD$200 million into over 600 critical world-class research projects, contributing to a 40% reduction in breast cancer mortality rates in Australia.

Last edition, the Pink Moment was 4 minutes long from 10:01pm as the Foundation was about to leave their 29th anniversary year & welcome in their 30th anniversary year.

Now celebrating that milestone, the 30-minute long Pink Moment this edition also honours the 58 people in Australia diagnosed with breast cancer each day & will see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, pyrotechnic barges, 10 city buildings, the Sydney Harbour Lights boats & the Luna Park Ferris Wheel lit up in pink from 10pm.

Last edition, only the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Harbour Lights boats & the Luna Park Ferris Wheel were lit pink.

Also, as part of the half an hour-long Pink Moment, the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon projections will once again feature key breast cancer statistics & the NBCF’s logo accompanied by images of NBCF Community Ambassador, Tarryn Fowler.

While caring for her 2 young children, aged 2.5 years and 18 months, she found a lump in her breast. In November 2020, at the age of 33, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite initially believing she was too young for breast cancer, she immediately looked for medical attention. Her motivation: To be there for her children’s life milestones. 10 days later, her diagnosis was received: Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) & Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS).

A full mastectomy and reconstruction were scheduled in December by the 25th, Christmas. Tarryn found herself too unwell to join her family in Christmas activities like viewing the neighbourhood’s lights & while striving to minimise the impact on her children, finished chemotherapy and radiation therapy the following May in 2021, which was celebrated by ringing the Captain’s Bell, a symbol of hope & accomplishment. She remains hopeful for a future with 0 deaths from breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the 2nd most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia & the most prevalent among women, with around 1,000 cases occurring in women under 40 each year, about 3 women every day. 1 woman under 40 loses her life to the disease each week while 9 Australians die from breast cancer each day.

The Sydney New Year’s Eve 2024 Pink Moment will be held at 10pm on the 31st of December.

The City Of Sydney selects a charity to support each New Year’s Eve. I am happy to welcome back the National Breast Cancer Foundation for the 2nd consecutive year. Through this collaboration, we can continue to raise awareness & inspire hope for those impacted by breast cancer. As we ring in the new year, the City is proud to help shine a spotlight on the Foundation’s vision of 0 deaths from breast cancer.

Over the last 30 years, the NBCF has invested AUD$232 million in 642 projects. In this time, the death rate from breast cancer has reduced by over 40%. While the significant progress in reducing deaths from breast cancer is to be celebrated, the number of Australians diagnosed with breast cancer continue to increase. Each day, 58 people in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer & 9 people die from breast cancer in Australia.

Clover Moore, City Of Sydney Lord Mayor

I think many people would put off doing something until the new year when health-related resolutions are top of mind but I wanted to find out immediately so I could enjoy the holidays. I wanted to finish treatment quickly so they (her children) wouldn’t remember or have too many questions about what was happening.

The hardest part wasn’t the pain or losing my hair. It was being unable to hold my kids for 6 weeks post-surgery. Missing out on their laughter while recovering was tough but it made me even more grateful to be here for their future.

Although the death rate from breast cancer in Australia has reduced,
there is still a percentage of people who die. There are more young women diagnosed each year & it’s a timely reminder that it can happen to anyone but with continued investment into research, we can truly make a difference.

Tarryn Fowler, NBCF Community Ambassador

For 30 years, our commitment to funding world-class breast cancer research has led to extraordinary discoveries.

Driving awareness of the importance of breast cancer research, on
one of the world’s biggest stages on New Year’s Eve is a special opportunity we’re incredibly grateful for.

New Year’s Eve is about celebrating new beginnings, setting goals and resolutions & entering a new year with positivity and hope. We are excited to see the City Of Sydney light up pink to support the research the National Breast Cancer Foundation leads to move us closer to our vision of 0 deaths from breast cancer.

The generosity of partners including the City of Sydney &our community enables us to accelerate progress in research that ultimately helps save lives. This is a collective effort – together, we can make 0 deaths from breast cancer possible.

Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz, NBCF Chief Executive Officer