Health · Healthcare & Policy · 4 hrs ago
Kilcoy's 'pink man' raises awareness and funds for cancer care
Harold Alford has made wearing pink a way to raise cancer awareness in Kilcoy, a regional town in Queensland.
The 85-year-old began wearing pink after his wife, Gladys, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and he drove her to Brisbane for daily radiation.
Cancer has affected several people in his family, including his father, wife and daughter.
Alford was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in December last year and, after being told he had 12 months to live, chose not to have cancer treatment.
His campaign has helped Kilcoy raise about $30,000 through Pink Up Kilcoy for cancer care nurses supported by the McGrath Foundation.
The effort matters because regional patients need help, and cancer affects many Australians; a foundation director said nearly one in two Australians are likely to be diagnosed during their lives.
Harold Alford, known as Kilcoy’s “pink man”, wears pink to raise awareness of cancer and funds for cancer care.
The 85-year-old has lost his father and wife to cancer, and his daughter has been battling cancer for 10 years.
Pink Up Kilcoy has raised about $30,000 for cancer care nurses through the McGrath Foundation.
Alford was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in December last year and has chosen not to have cancer treatment.
He says he wants to keep living actively and encourage people to help raise money for cancer care and research.
- Who
- Harold Alford, known as Kilcoy’s “pink man”, and the Pink Up Kilcoy community.
- What
- Alford wears pink to raise awareness of cancer, while Pink Up Kilcoy raises funds for cancer care nurses.
- When
- Alford was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in December last year. The sources do not give dates for the fundraising.
- Where
- Kilcoy, a regional town in Queensland just over 100 kilometres from Brisbane.
- Why
- Alford began wearing pink to raise awareness of breast cancer and now works to support cancer care, research and treatment options.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Alford’s father died from bone cancer.
Alford’s wife, Gladys, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Alford began wearing pink to raise awareness of breast cancer.
Alford was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and chose not to have cancer treatment.
- Age
- 85
- Location
- Kilcoy, Queensland
- Funds raised
- About $30,000
- Fundraising recipient
- Cancer care nurses through the McGrath Foundation
- Diagnosis
- Terminal lung cancer in December last year
What people are saying
I just like to get out there and live.
When you've got cancer, you need help.
I started wearing pink because I wanted to get the message out there about breast cancer,
He's such a character in the community and he's one of nature's true gentlemen as well. He's just an amazing guy.