Fashion with a Cause

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

      It is October, and now will be the time when you will walk down the aisle of your local supermarket or clothing store and see “Pink” items. So what does it all mean?

     This is the time of year, when companies will donate some or most of their profits to organizations such as: The Susan G. Komen Foundation or National Cancer Society, when you buy their specially marked and made items, carrying the “Pink Ribbon” symbol.

      According to the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, only exceeding lung cancer, in women. The chance that breast cancer will be the cause of death in women is 1 in 36 (3%). At this time there are 2.9 million survivors of breast cancer in the United States. The chances are always better when you catch it in it’s early stages, but the money raised for research have helped many people diagnosed with this disease have longer life expectancies and better quality of life

     There are many companies that participate in this “pink event” but it is hard to keep track of it all. You can find food items like pretzels & yogurt or clothing items like tee shirts & yoga pants. This will not only bring awareness to the charity, but it will also draw in consumer interest in the products that the company sells. Each company has their own specific amount that they will contribute to the charity, so if you are concerned with how much profit will go to cancer research, then do a little research on the company before buying their pink products.  

UltaBeauty.com promotions

Eli Manning Giants Jersey
$104.95 @NFL shops

Companies like Dick's Sporting Goods, NFL Shops, and UltaBeauty.com offer "Pink" items that donate a percentage of their profits to the American Cancer Society

Reebok women's active wear pants
@ Dick's Sporting Goods $45

     Besides buying your favorite items from the stores, there are many great fundraising events that bring money to breast cancer research

1.      Denim Day: Every year Lee jeans helps to organize a National day of Denim. If your company chooses to participate, they will pick a Friday in the month of October to all wear denim to work. In order to wear your denim jeans, you must donate at last $5 that will be given to The American Cancer Society. http://www.denimday.com

2.      Fundraiser events in your local area. In White Plains, NY an organization called “I Heart Boobs” is working raising money for the American Cancer Society by holding gathering at Wicked Wolf Tavern Thursday, October 4^th. They will have raffles, sell tee shirts and Wicked Wolf Tavern plans on having food and drink specials. For more details go to: http://www.iheartboobs.org or http://www.wickedwolfwp.com

3.      Avon Walk for the Cure will be in Central Park in New York City on October 20-21, 2012. Other cities around the country will also have their own walks. To see when the walk will be, in a city near you, please go to: http://www.avonwalk.org/about/register-to-walk.html

4.      There is also Making Strides Against Breast Cancer that will be taking place in NYC October 20, 2012. Please see the website for more information: https://secure3.convio.net/tacs/site/SPageServer?pagename=MSABC_FY13_TR_event_search&methodToCall=getTeamraisersByInfo&event_type=Making+Strides+Against+Breast+Cancer&starting_postal=10710&state=NY&search=Find+Event

Even if you don’t do a walk, attend an event, or purchase “Pink” items, you can always simply donate to several places that help others that have been touched by Breast Cancer:

1.      Susan G. Komen Foundation: http://www.komennyc.org

2.      Gilda’s Club: http://www.gildasclubnyc.org

3.      American Cancer Society : http://www.cancer.org

4.      The National Breast Cancer Foundation: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org

5.      Cancer Connect : http://news.cancerconnect.com

6.    Look Good Feel Better: helping women keep their confidence up during the time of treatment http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org  

These foundations don’t only help those with breast cancer but also those lives around the person with breast cancer.

Cancer doesn't just affect the person who has it, but those lives around that person. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, friends, coworkers… no mater what role have in a person’s life, you have been touched by cancer.