Shop for a Cure

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. {First things first: Feel your boobies, ladies! Seriously.} Many stores, brands and other companies are getting involved in the fight, raising awareness with pink labels, products and jerseys. (Yes, real men wear pink.) You are probably seeing pink items available for purchase everywhere you go. I appreciate the pink ribbon for its symbolic reminder to do monthly self exams. I also appreciate companies that donate a portion of their proceeds to programs that support research and early detection programs.

However, it is important to be sure that your purchase has value. The presence of a pink ribbon is not specifically an indicator that proceeds will be donated to a related cause. Think Before You Pink is a project of the Breast Cancer Action organization, focused on transparency and accountability in the growing pink ribbon market. They encourage consumers to ask questions, such as how much money from your purchase actually goes toward the cause, before they purchase items they believe will support breast cancer awareness and research.

Think Before You Pink was instrumental in getting General Mills to remove growth hormones linked to cancer from the Yoplait yogurt that sported the pink ribbons. In addition to donating a percentage of each yogurt sale to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation through its Save Lids to Save Lives program, several other General Mills brands are participating in breast cancer awareness this month. There was a bonus coupon insert in Sunday’s newspaper featuring the brands that support breast cancer research. Check them out in our coupon database before you shop.

If you are interested in having every purchase support breast cancer awareness, check out The Breast Cancer Site as part of Charity USA. It is a for-profit site, but a percentage of each purchase will be donated to breast cancer research. They also have a daily click program, in which your clicks are sponsored and help donate a free mammogram to those in need. In addition to pink ribbon products, their store features apparel, gifts, eco-friendly items and more. A percentage of every sale is granted to provide even more mammograms to someone who needs one.

Early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer, so feel your boobies, schedule a mammogram and remind your girlfriends to do the same!

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One of the things that has always been a party of our mission is encouraging our community to get involved and share with others, even when they are on a tight budget themselves. It is often surprisingly easy to help others just by being aware of what is available to you. Thankful Thursday is our chance to share the opportunities, organizations and services we have found!