The National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) has launched a nationwide awareness and fundraising campaign, announcing Spar and Eurospar as charity partners.
The campaign and partnership aim to widen access to treatment, improve outcomes and conduct groundbreaking research into breast cancer.
Spar and Eurospar have made an initial donation of €100,000 to the organisation to launch the two-year partnership.
This is the first time that both retailers, which are operated by BWG Foods, have come together to support a joint charity partnership.
Spar and Eurospar will raise funds through in-store collections and contributions from the sale of select Spar brands.
Both will also participate in other fundraising efforts through community initiatives across a nationwide network of stores.
The NBCRI will also be able to use the network of over 470 independent retailers to raise public awareness.
‘Urban Versus Rural Disparities’
Professor Michael Kerin, research director of the NBCRI highlighted the importance of a national reach.
Kerin said, “One of the challenges with the cancer programme in Ireland is to ensure that people across the regions have equal access to a positive outcome, and there are very significant challenges in providing that in this country.
“There are undoubted urban versus rural disparities in cancer care and outcomes based on where you live.”
He said, “Spar and Eurospar are ingrained in communities in every county across Ireland, so the support of its network of retailers and customers will make a real difference.”
‘Collective Effort’
Spar sales director Colin Donnelly mentioned his pride and delight at the launch of the partnership.
Donnelly said, “We’re especially proud as this was a decision that was made by our retailers around the country who came together to identify this charity in support of a cause that can positively impact every community in the country.”
The sales director of Eurospar Peter Dwan echoed Donnelly’s sentiment, adding, “The National Breast Cancer Research Institute stood out to our retailers because the charity is focused on a cause that impacts the lives of so many women in Ireland and we know that our customers and community partners will get behind this collective effort to enhance diagnosis and treatment options and play our part in improving the outcomes for those who develop breast cancer in the future.”
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