On Saturday 12 September Soroptimist International Regional President Jane Hastings and Soroptimists from 14 clubs of Northern England will gather at the Beaument Hotel, Hexham for their “Pink Glow” Regional Conference. Soroptimist International is committed to improving the lives of women and girls and works with local communities around the world. Jo Chexal, Soroptimist International Regional Programme Action Officer has invited members Linda Johnson and Shirley Hallam from Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District Club to lead this action packed day, following their visit to the House of Lords earlier in the year. Members will wear pink, eat a pink lunch and support a Pink sales table to raise awareness of Breast Cancer that affects over 46,000 women and the 300 men who are diagnosed every year. Over 65 Soroptimists will hear from Peter Johnstone, Community Liaison Officer, about the new tissue bank and the research being carried out at the University of Newcastle. Dr Joseph O’Donough, leading reconstruction surgeon from the RVI will reassure members of the availability of plastic surgery to women who have undergone breast surgery. The afternoon will conclude with the decoration of “Bras for the Bay”. These will be taken to the Federation Conference when Soroptimists from around the world will try to fill Cardiff Bay on Saturday 31 October 2009. The bras will not be wasted. In partnership with Oxfam they will be collected and donated to a project in West Senegal. Monies raised during the “PINK” Soroptimist international Regional Conference will be donated to Breast Cancer Campaign-researching the cure for research in the North East.(The photograph shows Front row left; Dr Joseph O’Donough and Shirley Halam, and standing left; Jo Chexal Programme Action Chair and Linda Johnson)