Nollaig na mBan – Women Making A Difference Together

Christmas is over for another year, but the holiday is just beginning. Women play a vital role in both the meaning of Christmas and the festivities themselves. That is why on the 6th January Nollaig na mBan wants to celebrate the old Irish tradition of Women's Little Christmas.  Nollaig na mBan is a day to let your hair down, relax, a day to celebrate all the women have achieved personally and professionally, and to recognise the important role of women during the Christmas season and throughout the year, . This year, The National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) are asking women to get together with their family, friends, colleagues and class mates to host an event to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Research in Ireland. The National Breast Cancer Research Institute in a national charity based in Galway and the key objective of the charity is to conduct relevant research into the biology of breast cancer. Worryingly, 1 in 10 women in Ireland will develop breast cancer during their lifetime and continued research can help improve treatments and outcomes for these women. There are many ways both women and men can get involved in their homes, communities and work places to support this campaign. Some event ideas include:

• Host a coffee morning or bake sale in your home or community
• Organise a challenge with friends – run, walk, swim, climb or even skip for breast cancer research!
• Get together with work mates to do something fun in work
• Host a dinner or lunch at home or in a larger venue with friends
• Gather all your unwanted Christmas Gifts for a “bring and buy” sale
• Speak to your principal or class rep to organise a fundraiser with your class mates
• Have a friendly sports game

It’s a day for women of all ages and all interests so everyone can get involved. It doesn’t matter how many people get involved in an event, all awareness and funds raised will make a difference. For more ideas, information on the campaign or to register visit http://www.nollaignamban.com/