Liverpool City Region landmarks to shine pink for Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness in October

This October, iconic landmarks across Liverpool City Region will join 70 venues across the UK, lighting up in the distinctive pink, purple, and teal in support of Make 2nds Count.

Make 2nds Count is a patient and family-focused charity dedicated to giving hope through clinical trial education, knowledge sharing, support and funding research into secondary (metastatic) breast cancer.

This year, the number of participating venues has seen a 25% increase compared to last year, marking a growing movement of support.

On October 13, Secondary (metastatic) Breast Cancer Awareness Day and the only day of the year dedicated to raising awareness on secondary breast cancer, Archway Road Railway Bridge, Greystone Footbridge, St Helens Bridge and Mersey Gateway Bridge will support the “Shine a Light” initiative which – as part of their “1,000 Truths” campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) – seeks to raise awareness of the reality of incurable secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness,  support and funding for research.

Make 2nds Count is dedicated to supporting patients living with secondary breast cancer (SBC), Also known as ‘stage 4’ or ‘advanced breast cancer’, secondary (metastatic) breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads from beyond the breast to other parts of the body. The disease is incurable but treatable, and symptoms can vary from person to person.

An estimated 61,000 people in the UK are living with this condition, which claims 1,000 lives every month. Additionally, a recent survey showed that 38% did not know what secondary breast cancer was, and 21% did not know what symptoms to look for.

Make 2nds Count aims to ignite empathy and amplify the voices of those affected and this year’s “1,000 Truths” campaign shares personal stories of patients, families, and healthcare professionals.

Liverpool patient Laura Shutt was 14 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with primary breast cancer. Less than a year after finishing her treatment, after a consistent pain in her shoulder, she was diagnosed with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer. 

Laura Shutt said:

“You don’t really hear of people getting cancer whilst they’re pregnant. It’s actually more common than you realise. It was my first pregnancy so I didn’t know whether feelings were pregnancy-related or cancer-related. I actually had surgery whilst I was pregnant and chemotherapy throughout.”

“With my primary diagnosis, I was never told the signs and symptoms of secondary. I was taking more medication for the pain [in my shoulder] and had to push for it to be investigated. I was diagnosed on my daughter’s second birthday with secondary breast cancer and it had spread to my sternum. It did come as a shock. I was quite naive thinking I’d had my treatment for the primary and it was all better and we could go live life and be normal again.”

“My daughter, Charlotte, has never known a life without cancer, which is quite a hard thing. We try to make light of the situation…She knows I have a good boob and a bad boob. We’ll be lying in bed and she’ll say: “Is that the good one or the bad one?” and I’ll say, “That’s the bad one” and she’ll say, ” Right, you need to behave today.” 

Sam Dixon, CEO of Make 2nds Count, said:

“These illuminated landmarks represent a beacon of hope for the tens of thousands affected by secondary breast (metastatic) cancer. Through our ‘1,000 Truths’ campaign, we also want to bring the personal stories of patients to the forefront, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every life is honoured. By shining a light on secondary breast cancer, we hope to raise awareness, build a more empowered community, and ultimately improve the lives of those living with  secondary  (metastatic) breast cancer.”

The Liverpool community is invited to participate by visiting the illuminated landmarks on October 13th, sharing photos on social media using the hashtag #ShineALight, and engaging with the “1,000 Truths” stories on the Make 2nds Count website. This campaign offers a powerful platform to honour the stories of those living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and to spark hope for a future where no more lives are lost to this disease.

For more information about Shine a Light, “1,000 Truths”, or to get involved, visit the Make 2nds Count website.

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