Hot To Trot

Buy it, wear it, raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. This is what we asked of our celebrity friends when we grabbed them to mark the 10th anniversary of the Pink Pony breast cancer campaign.

Marie Claire, October 2010

"My world literally stopped the morning I found out," confides Martina Navratilova. "All I kept asking myself was, 'Why me?' Then I cried."

The legendary Wimbledon Singles champion is sitting in the arena that made her famous, recalling the day, last February, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The 53-year-old admits she was fortunate that a routine mammogram caught the disease early. In June this year, following a lumpectomy and six weeks of radiation therapy, doctors declared Martina cancer-free.

"The treatment was the hardest part," she says. "Now, I want to use my experience to raise awareness and emphasise the importance of having routine scans and regular check-ups."

Forty-six thousand women in the UK fall victim to breast cancer each year; one in nine will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives. These stark figures are the reason why early detection is imperative, and why Martina and many other celebrities are so keen to join Marie Claire and Ralph Lauren in support of the Too Many Women campaign to raise money for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity.

The idea is straightforward. Buy one of Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony T-shirts, wear it or customise it, and promote the cause. Each of the famous faces in our portfolio had their own motivation for wishing to spread the message. Some, like singer Macy Gray and the British Synchronised Swimming Team, simply wanted to lend their voice to the campaign. "We have to take the same advice we would give a friend," urges actress Helen McCrory. "If something feels wrong get it checked out." Others, such as Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman have more personal reasons.

Four years ago, Edith was told her mother had breast cancer, following a routine mammogram at the age of 50. "It was the most frightening thing to ever happen in our lives," she says. "It's easy to believe that your parents will be around forever. So when the prospect of them being taken away is literally staring you in the face, it is utterly terrifying."

After a lumpectomy and six weeks of intense radiotherapy, Edith's mother is now recovering well. "Women just can't afford to play the ignorance card," she says. "We should all be checking our breasts regularly. Make it fun by getting your partner involved -- after all, they probably know your body better than you. This has to be taken seriously."

For more info go to breakthrough.org.uk or toomanywomen.co.uk

Caption: Macy Gray: Shot the morning after her Leicester Square Theatre gig, the singer enjoys a late breakfast in bed at the Sanderson hotel.

Caption: Edith Bowman: The Radio 1 DJ at her favourite record store, Rough Trade Records, in Notting Hill.

Caption: Keeley Hawes: In between filming Upstairs, Downstairs, the actress takes a tea break with her dog, Nana.

Caption: Martina Navratilova: The Wimbledon champion and breast cancer survivor shelters in the stands of Centre Court, mid-rain-shower.

Caption: Helen McCrory: The actress is photographed on set of the new Martin Scorsese movie, Hugo Cabret, at Pinewood Studios.

Caption: Ellie Goulding: The singer caught backstage following an interview with Lorraine Kelly on the GMTV sofa.

Caption: Zara Phillips: The royal Olympian takes her eventing horse, Lord Lauries, for early morning exercise around Gatcombe Park, the family estate in Gloucestershire.

Caption: British Synchronised Swimming Team: Members of the team photographed during a training session at the Aldershot military base.

Caption: Tamara Beckwith: The TV presenter is caught on film in her bathroom getting ready for a girls' night out.

Caption: 2010 is the 10th anniversary of Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony.

How Will You Wear Yours?

Help Marie Claire save lives by buying a Ralph Lauren Pink Pony T-shirt, £75, at marieclaire.co.uk, and 20 percent of the price will go to Too Many Women / Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Buy any Pink Pony product on 4 October and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated.

Send us a picture of you wearing your Pink Pony T-shirt (customised if you like), tell us when and where you were, and we'll post the best on our website. Or write a dedication to express how breast cancer has touched your life and we will post these on the website as well.

Ralph Lauren
Pink Pony 10th Anniversary

"Breast cancer is not just a women's issue -- it affects all of us: the brothers, husbands, fathers, children, friends. Pink Pony is our effort in the fight against cancer."
-- Ralph Lauren

The Pink Pony Auction
October 1 - October 21, 2010
at
charitybuzz.com/ralphlauren

100% of net proceeds will benefit the Pink Pony Fund

The Pink Pony Fund of the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation is Ralph Lauren's worldwide initiative in the fight against cancer. To learn more, please visit

ralphlauren.com/pinkpony