Calls to think pink

By Sonia Isaacs

LAST year a small French village located at the foot of the central Pyrenees Mountains had its main street festooned with a thousand knitted pink triangles to raise awareness of breast cancer. One of the key instigators of this incredible project is local lady, Lottie Nibett, who has been determined over the last few years to bring attention to breast cancer; and the need for early detection, especially for those with a family history of the disease.

Many people would recognise Lottie Nisbett as the lady with the pink hair who sells the RSL badges outside Beerwah Woolworths, however for the last 14 months Lottie, along with two close friends from Beerwah Lions, has been knitting up a pink storm of awareness at an international level.

This year, Lottie’s vision will see around 500 knitted pink bras sent from Glasshouse Country to the small village of Luchon (Bagnères-de-Luchon) to be hung up in the main street, and around the bar and restaurant owned by her daughter and her family who live in the village.

A breast cancer survivor diagnosed six years ago, Lottie has also had her two sisters, her daughter Mary Jayne, and niece battle the disease. She is adamant that more needs to be done to encourage early testing of this invasive disease.

Lottie said she had been thinking about what she could do about raising awareness for several years. A keen knitter, she had seen how women in her daughter’s French village had decorated trees a few years back as part of a breast cancer awareness week.

Visiting her daughter in 2019, who also has a close friend battling the disease, Lottie had seen first-hand the positive visual impact of seeing pink knitted decorations around the village.

street, I was so proud! I just cried as it was so beautiful to see,” said Lottie.

Lottie said over the last 12 months the French government have subsidised breast checks for younger women and she would like to see the same happen here in Australia.

“Young people need to realise that breast cancer can affect people any age, it’s not just old people who get it- so it’s important to get checked early, especially if you have a family history of the disease,” said Lottie.