Fashion for a Cause: Breast Cancer Awareness Products

October 23, 2008 5:04 PM
by Bridgette Prentice

The month of October is most commonly associated with the candy crowded, ghoul guzzled, over the top celebration that is Halloween. However, this year we're recognizing the month for its more meaningful purpose: breast cancer awareness.

Since the awareness for breast cancer has increased many more people throughout the country have begun to take action, doing what they can to raise funds. In and out of the fashion world people are gaining awareness of their own. Just last month NFL Hall of Fame inductee Don Shula, who has the Shula Foundation in memory of his late wife Dorothy, received a donation of $6,200.

Big name companies and design houses, such as Best Buy and Ralph Lauren, are doing their share and taking part in the month. For example, Best Buy has custom made pink polo’s in October for its entire staff and is mandatory attire on Sundays. Celebrities such as Sheryl Crow, Cristina Applegate and Olivia Newton John are all survivors of breast cancer who are using their fame to raise awareness for the disease from concerts to fashion shows. Along with familiar faces there are also familiar breast cancer foundations you can research online: nationalbreastcancer.org, komen.org, abcf.org, avonwalk.org etc. The number of organizations is countless and the list of supporting people is endless.

Breast cancer is affecting more and more women every year. Many of us have experienced the effects of breast cancer first hand, through family members and friends or by way of heart-felt stories. As stated by the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness, “10 million women around the world could die from breast cancer in the next 25 years without the cure.”

If you are already an avid supporter of this cause we applaud you, but if you are not go out and spend guilt-free cash on products with proceeds benefitting Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. You’ll be surprised at the amount of support out there with everything from dog collars to tennis balls. To make this search easier on you Cooljunkie has compiled a Top Ten list of quality, fashion-forward goods to grab, all with guaranteed proceeds going to the cause:

1. Bestbuy.com Breast Cancer Awareness Pen $4.99
3. Avonfoundation.org: Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Bubble Bath $8
2. Ralphlauren.com: Pink Pony Tennis Balls $10
3. Spoonsisters.com: “In the Pink” English Breakfast Tea $12.50 for 24 bags
4. Nordstrom.com: Tweezerman (pink themed tweezers) $20
5. PinkRibbonShop.com: Pink Ribbon Dog Leash $23.95
6. Revolveclothing.com: VITA Breast Cancer Awareness Bangle $33
7. Nautica.com: Pink Collection Printed pant $40
8. Jomalone.com: Red Rose Cologne $60
9. Custo-Barcelona.com: Custom Designed Shirt $65
10. Ralphlauren.com: Pink Pony Men’s Black Polo $75

After reading the above information you have become more aware of breast cancer along with the people, foundations and products supporting it. However, this doesn’t mean you have forgotten about Halloween. If you choose to disregard all the above products available for purchase there is one product during Halloween you cannot ignore: candy. M&M’s is a huge supporter of the month along with Hershey’s and Dove Chocolate. Just look for the pink breast cancer ribbon. You have no excuse not to support and as the Susan G. Komen foundation so eloquently put it, “If you’re going to stare at my breasts you could at least donate a dollar to save them.”