She has been referred to as Australia’s Angelina Jolie, but as well as them both carrying the faulty BRCA1 gene, Pink Hope founder Krystal Barter also shares the Oscar-winner’s influence and star pulling power.
For the charity’s latest project, Bright Pink Lipstick Day, a social media campaign that encourages more people to discuss their hereditary health, the 30-year-old preventative cancer activist enlisted the support of Margie Abbott, a Victoria’s Secret model and a usually publicity shy Rinehart sibling.
While chasing the family dog Maisie – both dressed for the occasion in hot pink ensembles – Ms Abbott welcomed a throng of media and fashion industry personalities to Kirribilli House, including Bauer Media publisher Sebastian Kadas, WAG and soon-to-be reality TV contestant Kyly Clarke and fashion designer Carla Zampatti, to spread the word about the lipstick movement.
The 56-year-old mother of three, who only recently discovered her grandmother died of breast cancer, stressed the importance of sharing family health history.”As a mother, I encourage my daughters to be proactive with their health. I want them to be aware of the importance of regular breast checks, pap smears and mammograms.”Ms Barter, who launched the charity in 2009 while in a hospital bed recovering from a preventative double mastectomy – fours years before Jolie’s surgery – is now working towards expanding her cancer support network and establishing an online genetic counselling service.
“More than 240,000 women and men are at risk of hereditary illness or carry a genetic fault that could lead to breast, ovarian, prostate and other cancers,” Ms Barter said. “The issue for many carriers of a hereditary gene is that they’re not aware of their family history, and often many find out about their condition when it’s too late.”
Another Pink Hope ambassador for Bright Pink Lipstick Day is Bianca Rinehart, daughter of mining magnate Gina Rinehart.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/how-australias-angelina-jolie-krystal-barter-is-becoming-our-most-influential-philanthropist-20140910-10f7gb.html#ixzz3lyw12mXO
