An Interview with Breast Cancer UK CEO Thalie Martini

I first became aware of Breast Cancer UK because of the work they do to promote the use of Clean products to prevent the risk of Breast Cancer. Specifically an ongoing campaign called Ditch the Junk which highlights which chemicals should be avoided in each product. Over the years I have met a number of the team at Vegfest and similar events and so when we launched the charity support it was obvious to me that this incredible charity should be one of them. I am so excited to have Thalie Martini CEO of Breast Cancer UK featured this week so we can hear more about the incredible and very important work that they do.

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As CEO, my aim is to help public health officials and government agencies understand the importance of changing public health policies and legislation to ensure we are all protected from the harmful effects on our health of chemical exposure in our environment and in every day products.   My team and I also produce education campaigns to help people understand their breast cancer risk and what steps they can take to reduce that risk.

WHAT DOES AN AVERAGE DAY RUNNING BREAST CANCER UK LOOK LIKE?

It’s a busy time now as we are building up to Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. This year we have our ‘25 Saves Lives’ campaign which is all about highlighting that 25% of breast cancer cases are preventable by encouraging people to get active to reduce your risk.

Planning this year has been particularly tough because of COVID-19 and the uncertainty around running face to face events.  So this year we’ve gone online and will be running online exercise classes, live on Facebook, on 25^th October.  We’ve got some amazing fitness, Pilates, yoga and dance instructors who are donating their time to run sessions for us.  On top of this, there’ll be people taking up the challenge around the country throughout the month of October.  There’s a lot going on.

So a typical day will involve signing off copy for the different communications and marketing elements of the campaign, along with working with the fundraising team on developing partnership with local communities and businesses. It also involves supporting our science team to run our ground breaking research grant programme which is critical in building the evidence to inform the work that we do.

IF YOU COULD VISIT ONE PLACE ON EARTH WHERE WOULD YOU GO?

The bungle bungle range in the Purnululu National Park, Western Australia. I have seen some of Australia having lived there for many years, but I have always wanted to experience the beauty and ancient Aboriginal cultural history of this part of Australia. Maybe one day….

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE THREE DREAM DINNER DATES WHO WOULD THEY BE?

PJ Havey – because I admire her as a musical pioneer and as a woman. Jacinda Adern – she seems to be getting a lot of things right. I could learn a lot. Phoebe Waller-Bridge – because I find her work extremely funny and relevant and she is darned talented. I think she’d be a fun dinner guest.

But as with everything, it’s tough to make wholesale changes in one go, we would recommend that when one of your products runs out, you try to buy one that doesn’t contain some of the baddies and overtime you will reduce your exposure.

The number of people diagnosed with breast cancer has doubled since the 1970s and continues to rise. We know there is a connection with our lifestyles and our environment. Which is why knowing how and taking steps to reduce our risk can make all the difference.