Pink power: Friends Rhiannon Tapscott, Kara Large and Alison Caston are ready for their Girls' Night In. Picture: Rob Carew
FOR Alison Caston and her friends, their annual Girls' Night In event is not just about breast cancer awareness and fund-raising.
It's also a night to remember and honour those who have succumbed to the disease — namely, in this case, Mandy Legg, a woman who attended Ms Caston's very first event three years ago.
Since Mrs Legg's death mid-last year, Ms Caston's mother-daughter fund-raiser evening - that she will host again at her Croydon home this month - has taken on a special significance.
"She (Mrs Legg) actually spoke at the event we had the first year (in 2010) as she'd had cancer and recently gotten through her treatment and was declared cancer-free," Ms Caston said.
"But six months later she was re-diagnosed and sadly passed away. After that, everyone said that we just have to keep doing this."
This year, the fund-raising target is $1500. The women have even painted a large pink target to keep track of the funds to show how close they are to the grand total.
Ms Caston said she and her mother had invited friends and expected about 50 women to attend the mother-daughter night in. There'll be plates of pink-themed food to share and, of course, plenty of champagne will be flowing.
"It's a really girly night," Ms Caston said, adding that it was also interesting to get the two generations of women together.
"It's the older generation, my mum's friends, who are getting affected each year, which is why it's so important to keep the awareness going. We just got the ball rolling and everyone is so happy to support it."
As well as raffling off donations from local businesses — including Harvey Norman in Chirnside Park, McDonald's in Croydon and Contours gym in North Ringwood — the women will also hear from Meg McDonald, a private practice breast cancer nurse, who will speak on taking precautions and looking after oneself.
National Breast Cancer Awareness month runs throughout October. For tips on hosting your own Girls' Night In event, and to register, go to pinkribbonday.com.au