October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means that now is the time to pay tribute to the thousands of women who are diagnosed with the disease every year.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, with over 220,000 diagnoses per year in the United States, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. There are a number of products available, with proceeds going to benefit different organizations in their fight to find a cure.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation is the most widely recognized organization in the fight against breast cancer in the United States. Every year they hold “Race for the Cure” events across the country that benefits their organization, in addition to selling a variety of products including jewelry and clothing.
The “Embrace Your Girls” T-shirt is part of the Circle of Promise campaign that supports African American women in their battle with cancer. For $22 you can own this shirt, and the proceeds from your purchase will go to the Komen foundation.
Other products available for purchase include the Logo Ribbon Hat and Glitter Stretch Bracelet for $20 and $10, respectively. Visit www.shopkomen.com for more product information, and to learn more about the foundation’s fundraising initiatives.
Popular retailer, Avon, is also dedicated to raising money for cancer awareness. This year, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is celebrating 20 years of service and over $780 million donated to numerous organizations worldwide. Money raised goes to benefit research, access-to-care programs, and various outreach programs.
Check their website, www.avonfoundation.org/causes/breast-cancer-crusade/ to find out how you can get involved, and to shop their selection of fashionable products. The Breast Cancer Crusade Tennis Bracelet is available for $5 and the Ribbons Backpack can be purchased for just $8, with over half of the proceeds from the sale of each item benefiting their foundation.
The Pink Pony Fund is a cause close to designer Ralph Lauren’s heart. For more than two decades, he has been pledging money to fight breast cancer ever since his friend, Nina Hyde, was diagnosed with the disease. In 1994, he took the lead in the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign, and has since then founded the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention.
A great feature of Lauren’s Pink Pony initiative is that there are a wide variety of products available for men, women, and children. Pick up the Men’s Classic-Fit Pink Pony polo for $85, or the Big Pony Tee for $55 on www.ralphlauren.com.
Campus favorite, Vera Bradley, has also been in the fight against breast cancer since the 90s. Each year the company donates a total of $1 million to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, in addition to sponsoring a golf and tennis tournament. Ten percent of the proceeds from the purchase of any of the six stylish patterns available from the retailer, including the new “Ribbons” pattern, go to their foundation to put an end to the disease that affects so many women every year.
Before going out to buy any of these products, you may be surprised to find out that there are already some in your refrigerator. The Save Lids to Save Lives campaign was started in 1997 by a Yoplait employee who lost a family member to breast cancer. For each lid saved, General Mills will donate ten cents to the Komen Foundation, up to $2.5 million, by June of 2013. By going to https://savelidstosavelives.com/, you can dedicate a lid to honor someone who is fighting, or has lost their battle against cancer.
This October, pledge your support to one of the many organizations dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. Honor the grandmother, mother, sister, aunt, or friend in your life that has been affected by the disease.
Remember that every donation counts, no matter how big or small.
