Colleagues from our stores in Northern Ireland visited Queen's University Belfast to see the difference money raised by our Tickled Pink appeal makes to breast cancer research.
All donations we receive go to Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now. The money raised has enabled Dr Niamh Buckley and her team at the university's cancer research centre to work towards finding treatment for the most aggressive breast cancers.
Dr Buckley, who was awarded a Breast Cancer Now fellowship in 2013, researches triple negative breast cancer.
She said: "Thanks to funds raised through Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign, my team and I are able to work towards developing new treatments for aggressive types of breast cancer, which currently have limited treatment options, to improve the chances of survival for thousands of patients and stop more people losing their loved ones.
“Every year, I am touched by the generosity of Asda colleagues and customers in supporting Tickled Pink.
"Money raised helps to fund research which will enable doctors to better classify patients and deliver drugs which are not only more effective, but are also kinder and more bearable for patients.”
George Rankin, senior director for Asda in Northern Ireland, said: "As this year’s Tickled Pink campaign launches, it's an ideal time to say a massive thank you to all of our colleagues and customers who have supported the campaign in previous years.
"It was very poignant to view at first hand the incredible research that is being made possible thanks to Tickled Pink.
"In coming together to fundraise this year, we will have further opportunities to help change, and potentially save, the lives of those affected by breast cancer in the future.”
Victoria Gregg, community champion at our Bangor store, said: "After meeting Dr Buckley, and hearing about the research she is able to carry out as a direct result of money raised by Asda, we're all determined to g othe extra mile with fundraising this year.
“From a pink non-uniform day and colouring competitions to a Tickled Pink tombola, we're busy raising funds for the charities supported through Tickled Pink."