Think Pink!
Photo courtesy of the BBC
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was initiated over 20 years ago with the knowledge that early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are the best ways to fight the illness. During the month of October, women are reminded to get yearly mammograms, conduct self-breast exams, and get educated about the disease and its prevention.
Key Facts
Some factors place certain women at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than others. Women under the age of 35 are not in the “risk” category, though women over the age of 60 are. Family history is a factor. If women in your family have been afflicted with the disease, you may develop it as well. Other risk factors include: early onset of menstrual cycle, having children after age 25, and not having children at all.
All women, regardless of risk factors, should do the following to decrease their chances of developing breast cancer: regularly exercising, eating healthy (including reducing hydrogenated and saturated fats and increasing intake of fruits and vegetables), limiting alcohol, and not smoking.
How To Help
In the spirit of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, several companies have partnered up with institutions dedicated to researching and eradicating the disease, and getting the message out there. During the month of October these companies will donate various portions of the proceeds of pink items they sell to the charities that they are partnered up with.
I bet you never would have expected M&M?S? to get an honorable mention on FitFare. But pink M&M’S, specially colored to be sold in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, will get just that. Buy these specially colored candies this month and the manufacturer will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The company pledges to donate a minimum of $250,000.
York Peppermint Patties is also following suit. They pledge to offer $125,000, funded by the sale of their limited edition pink candies, to the Young Survival Coalition?, a group that brings people together to further the issues that are unique to young women that survive breast cancer.
Tictac also join the candy for a cause group. Five cents from the sale of every specially marked pack of pink Tictac, will go to support CancerCare, an organization dedicated to cancer education and counseling. The company pledges to donate up to $100,000 from the proceeds of these sales.
Better Homes and Gardens has released their Pink Plaid Cookbook in a special edition filled with the same tasty and healthy recipes as the 2005 edition plus new recipes and a 32-page supplement that tells stories of survival. The publisher, Meredith Books, is donating a minimum of $250,000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
KitchenAid? encourages everyone to “cook for the cure.” It doesn?t get any cuter than this! You can buy anything from pink toasters and mixers, to pink cutlery scissors and ice cream scoops. The company will donate various amounts, up to $50 depending on the price of the product, to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Tips:
As a smart shopper you should thoroughly research each item you buy to find out (a) what portion of proceeds goes to charity, and (b) the organization and type of research you are supporting. For instance some organizations are strictly catered to researching a cure, whereas others have goals that include general awareness and education.
Let’s help eradicate this awful disease. Buy pink products, support research, get regular mammograms, and spread the knowledge.
