OBHS Prefect speech in support of the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation
By Flynn Wilson | Posted: Monday October 21, 2024
My name is Flynn. This term, the Spirit Board and school prefects have teamed up to create a week of awareness and raise funds for New Zealand’s Breast Cancer Foundation.
Now, I can already hear some of you thinking, "Why are we talking about boobs at an all-boys school when there’s hardly any around?"
And hey, fair enough! But that’s exactly why we need to have this conversation. Because what we're doing this week isn't just about raising money; it's about supporting the people we care about and making sure we’re all aware of something that could affect any one of us.
All of us here have someone in our lives who's female — whether that’s your mum, your sister, your grandmother, a girlfriend, or maybe one day, your wife or daughter. Breast cancer doesn't just affect women; it affects everyone who loves them.
Let’s do a quick exercise to really drive this point home. Can I get everyone to stand up, please? Ok. Now, imagine you all represent the population of 2.6 million females in New Zealand. But now, I need just the middle section to remain standing. The rest of you can sit down.
Those of you still standing, you represent the one in three women in New Zealand who will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. That’s a huge number when you think about it. Now, let's go one step further. If you're standing in line with Mr. Harvey and Mr. Sullivan or behind them, please take a seat. Look around. The remaining boys represent the one in nine women in New Zealand who will be diagnosed with breast cancer specifically. That’s over 300,000 women in our country who will hear the words, "You have breast cancer." This could be your mum, your sister, your grandma, or your best friend. Let that sink in. You guys can sit down now, thanks.
But here's something that might surprise you, breast cancer doesn’t just affect women. It’s rare, but men can get the disease too. About one in every 100 breast cancer diagnoses in New Zealand is a man. Because awareness is so low, when men do get breast cancer, it often gets diagnosed at a much later stage, when it’s harder to treat. This is why it’s so important for all of us, men and women alike, to understand what breast cancer is and how to check for it.
I’m no doctor, so I’ll keep this simple. Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast start growing uncontrollably. These cells can form a mass called a tumour, which can spread to other parts of the body if not caught early. There are risk factors like age, genetics, lifestyle, and family history that can increase your chances of getting it.
But even though the risk is lower for us guys, it’s still important to know how to check ourselves. And rather than me doing a striptease to show you, let’s watch a quick video instead, it’s less embarrassing for all of us, trust me. See? It’s actually pretty straightforward. If you find something that feels off, don’t ignore it. Get it checked out. It's as simple as that.
Alright, so why are we supporting breast cancer awareness at our school?
Last week, I asked you all to fill out a Google form about whether breast cancer has affected your lives in any way. You probably noticed the coloured Post-it notes on your seats when you sat down. Let’s bring those notes to life. If you have a pink Post-it, can you stand up? You guys represent everyone in this school who has been affected by breast cancer through an immediate family member, like a parent or sibling. If you’ve got a yellow Post-it, please stand up too. You boys now represent those affected by breast cancer in your extended family, like your grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins. Finally, if you have a blue Post-it, stand up. You represent anyone who has been affected through a friend or someone outside your family. Take a moment to look around Boys. That’s a lot of us who are standing. Breast cancer has touched the lives of so many of us in this school, and it’s going to touch the lives of even more in the future.
So how can we, as OBHS boys, support this cause?
Well, firstly, we have The Big Breast Cancer Bake Sale taking place this Friday. EFTPOS will be available, so there’s no excuse! And if you’re up for it, bring in some baking to contribute. Every bit helps, and it all goes toward supporting the fight against breast cancer.
We have the infamous Prefects V Staff football match: Head down to Littlebourne field for a good old-fashioned game of footy, where us prefects will smoke the staff. This is your chance to show your school pride, have a laugh, and support our more-senior school members.
Pink Ribbon Sales: Throughout this week, you can buy a pink ribbon or ribbon key fobs from the office for a gold coin donation. Wear it with pride —it’s a small gesture, but it shows your support.
Dress in Pink Day: This Friday, we’ll be holding a pink dress-up day. And I mean pink well… almost everything. Shirts, ties, and socks. Let’s flood this school in pink boys, to show our solidarity. Breast cancer awareness isn’t just for women—it’s for all of us. So, let’s put the stereotypes aside and show we’re serious about supporting this cause.
Boys let’s make this week count. Let’s not just talk about breast cancer awareness; let’s show it. Let’s stand up for our loved ones, for those who’ve fought, for those who are still fighting, and for those who will one day need our support.
Buy a ribbon, join the bake sale, wear pink, and spread the word. We have the power to make a difference. Not just for the women in our lives, but for everyone affected by this disease. Together, we can stand strong and make sure no one faces breast cancer alone.
