Over 3,200 women in Ireland are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

October 1 marked the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time for raising awareness and campaigning for early detection and prevention of the disease. To mark this year's campaign, the Marie Keating Foundation have compiled a comprehensive list of shops and businesses who are doing their bit to support the charity's fight against breast cancer. These so-called 'Pink Patrons' include the likes of Marks and Spencer, Shaws, Harvey Norman, and Skechers. Throughout the month, they'll be donating portions of money raised from certain products and services to the charity, as well as raising awareness of the importance of regular breast checks themselves. The charity's director of fundraising, Linda Keating said that they are "so grateful" for all of their Pink Patrons who have gotten involved this October. "Over 3,215 women in Ireland are diagnosed with breast cancer every year," she says. "The money raised through this campaign will support our work in education, awareness and community outreach services. This is giving people the tools to recognise symptoms and seek help at an early stage. "As well as this, the funds raised will go towards our survivorship programmes, helping to support women at different stages of their breast cancer journey.” The full list of Pink Patrons is as follows:

• Catwalk HQ Tans
• The Grafton Barber
• Harvey Norman
• Jo Harpur Jewellery
• Mad Flowers
• Marks and Spencer
• Pigsback
• Skechers
• Shaw's Department Store
• Theya Healthcare

Across the month, a series of events will also be held to encourage the conversation around regular breast check. These include a Survive and Thrive seminar, PigsBack's 5k and 10k run, a positive living programme, and Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day. A full list of events can be found here.  A full list of this year's Pink Patrons, and information about how you can do your bit, can be found here.