October

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

by Piper Zoe

In 2009, according to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States alone and a total of about 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with worldwide, of this, a staggering estimate of about 465,000 will die from the disease. Breast cancer death rates have been dropping steadily since 1990, according to the Society, because of earlier detection and better treatments.

We would like to see this trend continue. October is Breast cancer awareness month. The is the month that organizers, supporters and foundations join forces to make the biggest leaps in awareness and fund raising of the year. Of course, support, awareness, education and prevention is continued year round, but October is marked as the month to stand up, shout, run, walk, wear pink or donate to show the sisters around the world and in your community your support.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, was founder by Nancy G. Brinker after making a promise to her sister Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. Susan, during her fight with breast cancer, spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her own situation.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, since inception in 1982, has invested more than $1 billion and become the global leader of the breast cancer movement,. As the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, they're working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to save lives through early detection and to provide mammograms for those in need. NBCF is committed to spreading knowledge and fostering hope in the fight against breast cancer. NBCF funds free mammograms for women who could otherwise not afford them and supports research programs in leading facilities across the country. NBCF helps increase awareness through education and provides nurturing support services that inspire the courage needed to win this monumental battle.

The mission of the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade is to raise funds and awareness for advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. From its launch in 1992 through 2007, the multi-faceted initiatives of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade have raised and awarded more than $525 million to the breast cancer cause worldwide. Funding is awarded to five areas: breast cancer education and awareness, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services and scientific research. Avon now supports programs for breast cancer in some 50 countries around the world.

PinkRibbonShop.com was founded by a breast cancer survivor and sells merchandise specifically related to raising awareness and spreading the word about breast cancer. By wearing Pink Ribbon Shop merchandise, you are able to show your support while knowing that your purchase will also help fund a variety of organizations that are in effort to find a cure, assist patients, and reduce cancer deaths through education initiatives that promote early detection. You are also showing those you know with breast cancer that you care. The Pink Ribbon Shop also carries many items whose manufacturer and/or distributor makes a monetary donation to breast cancer-related organizations based on the sale of those items.

BreastCancerAwareness.com is owned and operated by Solos Health LLC. Solos Health is a health information company with a focus on dietary/nutrition and disease management aspects of health and wellness.

The mission of BreastCancerAwareness.com revolves around four words: donate. educate. learn & live. Their goal is to provide consumers with access to high quality health information and services; offering education, support, motivation and the tools necessary to safely reach and maintain a superior quality of life. This may include assisting people in solutions of where to donate money, attend a breast cancer awareness event, find educational materials or be part of our growing online community that assist in all these aspects.

The Breast Cancer Site was founded to help fund free mammograms for women in need. Since its launch in October 2000, the site has established itself as a leader in online activism and in the fight to prevent breast cancer deaths. The Breast Cancer Site provides a feel-good way to help promote awareness and prevent breast cancer deaths every day through easy online activities.

With a simple daily click of the pink button at The Breast Cancer Site, visitors help provide mammograms to those in need. Visitors pay nothing. Mammograms are paid for by the site's sponsors and distributed by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. In addition to the purchase of items from the sites store, also helps to generate funds for free mammograms. The store offers a wide array of items to show your support, including pink ribbon jewelry and apparel.

Breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer. Their mission is to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast cancer, so they can make the best decisions for their lives. All medical information on the Breastcancer.org web site and in our printed materials is reviewed by members of the PAB, which includes over 60 practicing medical professionals from around the world who are leaders in their fields.

Internet Based Moms is a site that supports Moms that work from home and was the first to focus exclusively on online business for women. This site supports all women and works hard at supporting women with breast cancer. 2003 marked Internet Based Mom's first annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. With the continued support of their members and friends, they have been able to expand their reach and donate even more. With are a unique community of moms in business from around the world and they strive to bring quality information to moms and women everywhere.

Making Strides was founded in 1984 in Massachusetts by survivor Margery "Margie" Gould Rath. She wanted to find a way to celebrate fellow cancer survivors by raising funds for the American Cancer Society. Working with a committee of fellow cancer survivors and other volunteers, she created a "move-along-a-thon" called Making Strides Against Cancer to bring people of all abilities together in an event to move the fight against cancer forward. The first event, held in Boston, drew 200 participants and became a yearly event in the city. Now, the event takes place in many cities in the US.

"Each event is different, and every step you'll take is personal. When your foot hits the pavement, you can feel comfort in knowing you're helping save lives. You might think of how you're keeping the phone lines open every minute of every day for questions that need answers. You might think about the women you're helping get access to mammograms. You might think about the groundbreaking research you're helping to fund. You might think about how you're helping a patient find a ride to treatment or connect with a survivor who has been there. Everyone walks for different reasons but all Making Strides participants know that they are helping the American Cancer Society save lives."