We’re deep into fall now. The fuzzy socks and warm boots are out along with mugs of warm tea and cozy scarves. It’s impossible to walk to class without stopping to admire the brilliant swirling red and yellow leaves–but there’s another color October brings-–pink. In addition to being a time to snuggle up with a warm cup of tea, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the collaborative effort of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, spread information on the disease, and provide greater access to services to help detect breast cancer early.
There are flashes of pink everywhere you look, from dainty pink satin ribbons pinned to backpacks, to bright magenta t-shirts. Pink is everywhere–and for good reason. For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer besides lung cancer, and about 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive cancer in her lifetime. As a woman, it’s hard to find somebody you know who hasn’t been affected by breast cancer one way or another, which is why it’s so important to support the cause.
Thankfully, there are so many wonderful (and cute!) ways to show your support. All over the country, different businesses and organizations have created pink products where a percentage of the proceeds are donated to the cause. There’s even a Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation, where over 50 farmers have bought the seeds called “porcelain doll” and plan to donate 25 cents from each pumpkin sold to the Susan G. Komen for the cure foundation. The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts have created two girly-themed cocktails, “The Pink Lady” and “Pink Ribbon” from which the proceeds will go to local breast cancer-awareness charities. There are hundreds of festivally pink creations for sale this month. Beauty companies like Stila, Bobbi Brown, and Essie have all released pink-themed products that support the cause. Hunter has come out with Limited Edition Pink Rain boots that not only support the cause, but also are perfect to brighten up these rainy October days. Forever 21 created a “Nothing is Impossible” pullover that supports the cause.
Forever 21 Nothing Is Impossible Pullover, $15. forever21.com
Hunter Hunter Pink Limited Edition Rainboots, $125. nordstrom.com
It’s not just clothing and beauty items either. New York city-based salad company, Chop’t, created pink bowls for their products from which $2 will be donated for each bowl sold to the cause. Executives from the company hope to raise $30,000 by the end of the month, and in the first two weeks Chop’t raised $14,000. Buying things isn’t the only way to get involved either, more then 8 million people walk in events across the country to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. There are more then 270 events all over America to raise money, and with a simple click you can find an event near you. There are 10 events in Ohio!
It’s so crucial to get involved in some way in order to fight breast cancer, and there is no excuse not to support the cause because there are so many different ways to do so. About 39,520 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1990 — especially in women under the age of 50. There is a direct correlation between support for the cause (and efforts to raise awareness) and the decline in deaths caused by breast cancer. It’s because of the support of the cause that death rates have been decreasing and it’s important to continue to contribute in order to stop breast cancer. As many popular breast cancer organizations say, “Together we can make a Difference” and we really can. Get out there and support the fight to stop breast cancer!