Fighting Breast Cancer with Fashion!

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month

According to the American Cancer Society, your risks of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. About 1 out of 8 invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45, while about 2 of 3 invasive breast cancers are found in women age 55 or older. For women in the U.S. the breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer. Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American women. About 30% of cancers in women are breast cancer. (American Cancer) For more information on Breast cancer go to: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/index?ssSourceSiteId=null

This month I am sure you have heard people participating in walks and runs for the cure, but don’t forget a lot of companies out there are offering products to purchase, in which they will donate a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer research.

So how can fashion help fight cancer?

Walk up and down the aisles of your grocery or department store and you will be able to see various products in pink that promise if you buy them, money will be donated to research the cure for breast cancer. I have found items like nail polish, lotions, jewelry, umbrellas, make up, tee shirts etc. that will donate to the research. In my photo above, you will see some of these items and the places you can buy them.

Here are some of the other ways you can fashionably fight breast cancer:

• My company participates in “Denim Day” every year. Each person donates $5 and they are given have the opportunity to dress down in jeans for the day. This is a day we can show off our Denim Fashions!
• Other ways I have seen fund raising was with beauty treatments. I subscribe to PrettyCity.com and this month they featured deals in NYC (and other cities) spa deals for $31 for the 31 days in October. It is just another way to pamper yourself for a good cause.
• I personally know someone who sells Lia Sophia jewelry and recently held a jewelry party to raise funds for cancer research. There was a variety of fun & fashionable jewelry to buy and she donated her earnings for cancer research.

I would like to take a moment, to talk about one of my favorite designers, Betsey Johnson. Not only had she helped raise money for the cure with her fashion shows, but she, herself is a survivor of breast cancer.

In 2000, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a lumpectomy. She has been cancer free since and continues to fight cancer with her fund raisers for research. By creating one of a kind outfits, for auction or holding special fashion shows, the money raised gets donated for the cause. Betsey Johnson is now 68 years old and she is still turning cart wheels down her runway.

This October, the insignia, “I’m a survivor!” is proudly printed on an oversized Betsey Babe tote, knit hat and gloves, socks and paired with pink ribbons for a cheerful charm bracelet. Another especially sweet awareness product launching this October is the Betsey Johnson Serendipity Sundae at Serendipity 3 in NYC. A portion of the proceeds of this signature breast cancer (and of course, Betsey!) pink treat, as well as all the awareness merchandise, will go to two of Betsey’s beloved charities: the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, and the center where Betsey herself was treated, the Weill Cornell Breast Center of the Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Betsey also showed her support by holding a Breast Cancer Awareness Event at her Soho boutique on October 7th from 5-7pm. (Betsey Johnson Website)

So remember ladies, always go for your routine check ups and in order to stay fashionable, try to buy fun products that will help send funds towards breast cancer research.

Happy Shopping