In the last decade, so many strides have been made in recognizing and helping any who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Umpteen charities, retail campaigns and corporate giants have taken on the cause, and there’s no better time to see that than during October — National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Yet with all the good, hard work that’s been done, let’s not be fooled. This is still an illness that’s hurting our sisters, our cousins, aunts, friends, our mothers and sometimes us.
Years ago, I started to understand that we as women need to take on our health as our own responsibility. At Faulkner Hospital, I started to get regular mammograms under the wonderful Dr. Elsie Levin, who was my first experience with a health-care professional dedicated to protecting and preserving women’s health. Years later, when my son was 3, I had a scare that came from a routine mammogram. I had such incredible care and a network of support that, in addition to undergoing my own (thankfully successful) treatment, I started to think more about how the disease affects my clients, my family and friends. More than ever, I wanted to join a community of people to fight against it.
I am starting National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an elevated sense of the impact our acts and spending can have. Researching drugs and extending life takes real dollars, so I’m looking for as many opportunities to use my money for good this month as I can.
For starters, let’s talk about a few pink ribbon products you’ll want to wear and use, even if they don’t go to a vital cause.
The “Peony Set” from Bobbi Brown — a powder blush in pretty-but-subtle pink, plus a pink-handled blender brush — is just one of the beauty must-haves that donates to the cause under the umbrella of Estee Lauder. Purchase this limited edition set for $50, and Bobbi Brown will donate $12 of that to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Stella McCartney, one of my favorite designers, has for yet another year created a show-stopper. Her 2015 contribution is the Alina Playing range — two beautifully unsubtle delicate bras and a bikini brief, some of the profits (they cost from $55 for the briefs to $110 for the bras) go toward several breast cancer charities: the Linda McCartney Centre in Liverpool, England, part of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital; the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the United States; and the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Australia.
Not looking to actually wear the color pink? Try the dainty gold leaf necklace from the National Breast Cancer Foundation on for size. Wear it with anything and everything (it’s that unobtrusive, yet pretty), and remember that even if it only sets you back $20, all of that price — 100 percent of the net proceeds — goes to provide help and hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.
So now you’ve got a few fun things to shop for while helping to support the people working so hard to find a cure. Add them to your wardrobe/beauty regimen with plenty of pink pride!
