When people are asked what October reminds them of, it might be the fun-filled horrors of Halloween or the season to be cozy with sweets. It might slip from people’s minds that October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month with pink ribbons all around. Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers, diagnosed in 2.4 million women globally every year. This month is an international health campaign that aims to encourage people to be screened and catch the disease early.Â
First, a little history. In 1985, the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries collaborated on this awareness campaign as a weeklong event with the same purpose as it has today. This soon expanded into a monthlong event, becoming federally recognized in 1990. As this event continued, it got its pink ribbon symbol in 1992. It was created by Alexandra Penney, SELF magazine’s editor-in-chief, who partnered with Evelyn Lauder, a breast cancer survivor and EstĂ©e Lauder’s senior corporate vice-president. After their magazine’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue, they distributed pink ribbons out at makeup counters. Greater awareness has resulted in better treatment and earlier detection, with U.S. breast cancer deaths decreasing by nearly 60% between 1975 and 2019. Currently, in the U.S., there are about 4 million breast cancer survivors (including those actively receiving treatment).Â
Here are five breast cancer awareness collaborations that caught my eye this October, beginning with the priciest.Â
This is the most expensive collection that I liked, with prices ranging from $78-$389. This collection is from Ralph Lauren and Pink Pony. The 2026 Pink Pony campaign was launched on Sept. 29 with its black and pink collection of classic Ralph Lauren styles. My favorite product was the Pink Pony Logo Fleece Hoodie, perfect for the coming chilly weather. This collection donates 100% of profits from its three main pieces: the Twill Ball Cap, Oxford shirt, and Relaxed Knit Sweater. 25% of the earnings from everything else will be donated to cancer charities. On top of all of this, on Oct. 17, the brand will have their first-ever Global Day of Shopping, and 5% of all purchases that day will go to Pink Pony!
EstĂ©e Lauder’s Pink Ribbon Collection supports the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), with products ranging from $12.50-$135. Last year, 20% of the purchase price, which was up to a maximum of $163K, went to the BCRF. You can spread awareness and show support with this Pink Ribbon Pin, not only reminding others to get screened, but, showing quiet support can also help people more than you think.Â
This collection from Vera Bradley called Flourishing Garden is meant “to honor the one in eight women who will face a breast cancer diagnosis,” with the price ranging from $10-$120. Vera Bradley donates 12.5% of its net proceeds to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, which is capped at $100K. To be honest, I think this is my favorite collection, so I want to spotlight two products: the Woodlark Tote and Silk Pillow Case & Sleep Mask Set. These two are so cute, you can use them daily, and they’d make the perfect gift for someone!
FIGS has brought back its Fight Club Pink and F’ING Pink collections which ranges from $14-108. This is a returning collection with new additions in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The collection donates a flat $50K to the nonprofit F*ck Cancer (yes, it is a real organization). I found this collection to be most heartwarming since two out of four health care workers in the campaign film, Fight Like an Awesome Human, are breast cancer survivors. Liz O’Riordan, a retired breast surgeon and Stephanie Nguyen, a current nurse practitioner. I believe there is a difference when you actually see these women in the media and in real life, which inspires and encourages us to internalize and fight for this cause rather than just seeing symbols and lectures. As a scrunchie and clips girl, I couldn’t skip FIGS Claw Clip in Dark F*ing Pink.Â
The last one seems like a product rather than a collection (Move For Pink) since it has only one product: an $89 pair of sneakers. I thought this product might be good since having an extra pair of sneakers is important as a college student who is walking all over the city. Easy Spirit has supported breast cancer awareness for seven years through its partnership with Shoes for a Cure. Since 1994, Shoes for a Cure has raised about $65M for breast cancer research. Easy Spirit has even pledged at least $25K from the shoe’s sales to Shoes for a Cure. This funds research and patient navigation work for Dr. Lisa Newman, a surgical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine.Â
Finally, I want to tell you several things you can do this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You can check in with someone who has been (in any kind of way) affected by breast cancer to see how they are doing, schedule the annual mammogram and encourage your close ones to do the same, become more informed about breast cancer through Breastcancer.org’s resources, and join community discussion forums to ask questions. Since this is a tough topic to talk about, there can be a hesitation when you attempt to learn more or ask questions about it. It is important to not only be informed about and support this cause, but spreading awareness and convincing more people to get scanned might result in higher detection and fewer deaths by this awful disease. If you’d like, you can also donate to Breastcancer.org here. Throughout this month, they are doing dollar-for-dollar matching; for every dollar you donate, the Board of Directors will add another dollar towards supporting breast cancer.Â
You can get some cute goods from these brands and many more, and your dollars will be well-spent as they go to this wonderful cause and these great nonprofits! Let’s all spread awareness this month — as Angelina Jolie wrote in The New York Times, “Knowledge is power.”