Pioneering Breast Cancer test funded by Tickled Pink donations

Scientists have developed a gene test that can detect the risk of breast cancer after pioneering research funded by our Tickled Pink campaign.

Breast Cancer Campaign Scientific Fellow Dr James Flanaghan (pictured) from Imperial College London revealed the findings this week.

His research could lead to a blood test that could help screen women in future.

One in five women is thought to have a genetic “switch” that doubles the risk of breast cancer.

Scientists analysed blood samples from 1,380 women of various ages and looked at the effect environmental factors such as alcohol, hormones and radiation had on genes.

You can read about the breakthrough in more detail on Breast Cancer Campaign’s website.

It’s just one example of the vital research we help fund through Tickled Pink which is now in its 16th year.

Asda customers, colleagues and suppliers have raised more than £29 million for breast cancer charities and last year, with your help, we raised a record £4.2 million.

Look out for our Tickled Pink products in store – like our £26 Tickled Pink bouquet which is available all year round and includes a 10% donation to Tickled Pink.

Thanks for helping raise over £900,000 for Tommy's

This year Asda has raised a phenomenal £943,880.45 for Tommy’s – helping to ensure that fewer babies die during pregnancy or birth.

Tommy’s ambassador Sophie Ellis Bextor was keen to say thank you to Asda colleagues and customers for their fundraising efforts and support – watch her video above.

Losing a baby at any stage is a devastating experience for the whole family. This loss can devastate lives and it is often a subject that people are unable to speak openly about to family, friends and work colleagues.

The continued support from Asda is helping to raise awareness in local communities throughout the UK and show families facing pregnancy complications that they are not alone.

"After all I'd been through - to go on to have a healthy pregnancy with Cicily was a wonderful experience"

Cicily’s older brother Logan was born prematurely at 28 weeks – he is now a healthy eight-year-old!

In 2011, Cicily’s mum Louisa became pregnant with Cicily. She was classed as ‘high-risk’ so had to be referred to St Thomas’ Hospital. She was given an abdominal stitch to ‘lock in’ her baby along with the Hologic Rapid fFN test – which identifies the likelihood of giving birth early.

Thanks to these interventions Cicily was born on December 29th 2011 – at full term. Watch her story in the video above.

The Asda Foundation funds launch of new Tommy's guide to help support parents with premature babies

As part of Tommy’s pledge to support parents who have experienced a pregnancy complication or loss, they’ve put together a new guide for parents who have had – or are at risk of having – a premature baby.

Developed and produced with a grant from the Asda Foundation, the new guide provides parents and parents-to-be who are at risk of pre-term labour with the information and advice needed during their pregnancy, birth, time in hospital and early days at home.

The guide combines advice from health professionals and tips and stories from parents to help mums and dads going through similar experiences.

Louisa, whose son was born at 28 weeks and was in special care of eight weeks, was one of the parents who helped to develop the book.

She says: “I think that the guide is brilliant. It is so comprehensive and I would have loved to have had a book like that as all the ones I read left us wanting.”

The guide is free to order online on the Tommy’s website now.

Alexandra Burke and friends support Tickled Pink

We’re hosting a fabulous fundraising concert for Tickled Pink in the new year featuring Alexandra Burke and some very special guests.

Alexandra is an ambassador for Breast Cancer Care and she’s picked the line-up which will feature Chipmunk, Dionne Bromfield, The Saturdays and X-Factor winners Little Mix.

Happening at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in West London on 12th January, this fantastic “Girls’ Night Out” follows on from our “Girls’ Night In” theme for this year’s Tickled Pink campaign.

All of the money from ticket sales will go to breast cancer charities – and you can show your support now by booking your tickets here. If you’re an Asda customer or colleague you can get tickets for just £20 by using the promotional code Tick20.

Alexandra says: “It is going to be such a great evening of music and entertainment all in aid of a really important cause.”

“I’ve been a Breast Cancer Care Ambassador for a number of years now and am delighted to work with Asda in supporting their campaign and helping them to continue the fantastic work that they do to support breast cancer charities.”