Around 50 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the wider Wanganui area each year, and about 12 die of the disease.
Those statistics are what the annual Pink Ribbon street appeal is determined to fight.
Volunteer collectors hit Wanganui streets yesterday and will also be out and about today.
Area co-ordinator Jayden Laing said three or four different groups of volunteers were dressed in pink and taking donations.
Locations included Trafalgar Square and Victoria Ave.
The donations would go to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, and would also be used for research into breast cancer.
Mr Laing said so far there had been a good response from the public.
"People have been very generous. A lot of people have been affected by breast cancer."
Mr Laing, at 18 years old, is the youngest volunteer area co-ordinator in the country and one of the few male volunteers involved.
He has no personal connection to anyone with breast cancer, but wanted to serve his community in some way.
"I wanted to do something to help - it's better than sitting around doing nothing all day," Mr Laing said.
New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation chief executive Van Henderson said breast cancer was the most common cancer for New Zealand women.
Nationwide, eight women a day were diagnosed and one in nine women would be diagnosed in her lifetime.
"Research shows that the earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the outcome, so the NZBCF is reminding women this month of the importance of being breast aware and of going for their mammograms," Mr Henderson said.