Steel Blue celebrates $15,000 raised for Sweet Louise
Steel Blue proudly supports women in trades, both on and off the job site. This is reflected in the sales of Steel Blue’s pink boots that have raised over $15,000 so far. These funds go directly to provide care and support for New Zealanders with incurable breast cancer through Sweet Louise.
The Sweet Louise partnership has been running for three years. Through this partnership, which includes the annual What a Pair campaign and Sweet Louise work boot initiatives, we continue to raise awareness amongst women in trades about the importance of regular breast checks whilst raising vital funds for Sweet Louise.
How the funds support the community
$10 from every pair of our Southern Cross® Zip Ladies boots in Pink is donated directly to Sweet Louise.
“Steel Blue is incredibly proud to commemorate the $15,000 fundraising milestone in support of Sweet Louise. Through this partnership, it has enabled Sweet Louise to provide free-of-charge practical, emotional and social support to those diagnosed with incurable breast cancer,” says Peter Bell, CEO Steel Blue.
Catrin Devonald, Sweet Louise CEO says, “We currently support over 800 New Zealanders living with incurable breast cancer and their families. Sadly, we are seeing the number of women needing our support increasing each year. On a more positive note, improvements in treatments also mean that we are supporting each person for much longer as well. But this all means increased pressure on our funding, which is why the support from partners like Steel Blue is invaluable.”
The initiative goes beyond raising funds for those impacted by breast cancer
“Our Southern Cross® Zip boot in Pink helps create more conversations, awareness and encourage people to conduct regular breast checks through the shower tag included with every pair of pink boots sold; the impact of this is immeasurable,” says Peter.
“The striking pink boots provide a perfect starting point for conversations about breast cancer and help raise awareness of Sweet Louise and our work. Plus, the shower tag reminding people to carry out a regular breast self-check is a fantastic addition as we know that early-diagnosis of breast cancer can make a difference for survival outcomes,” says Catrin.
The stats
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in New Zealand with one in nine women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Around 3,500 women and 25 men are diagnosed annually, and we are currently seeing an increase in younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly, more than 600 women will die from breast cancer each year in New Zealand.
“Our partnership with Steel Blue has supported Sweet Louise to provide the practical support and emotional care that we know is crucial to helping New Zealanders diagnosed with incurable breast cancer to live as well as possible, for as long as possible. We are 100% reliant on fundraising and on generous support from companies like Steel Blue to be able to carry out this vital work,” says Catrin Devonald CEO of Sweet Louise.
