5 Ways to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness

One out of eight women in the United States will have invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. And each year, about 40,000 women die from it. If breast cancer has impacted you or someone you love, you may feel like you want to do something to help. Anyone can spread the word about the risks of breast cancer, and aid in researching a cure. Here are a few ways to go about it.

Joining a breast cancer race can be a fun way to get some exercise, connect with other people affected by breast cancer, and contribute to a great cause. You can walk, run, bike, motorcycle, and even snowshoe and dance your way to donations for a breast cancer-related organization. Some of the larger breast cancer races are the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, the Komen Race for the Cure, Bike 4 Breast Cancer, and the Pink Glove Dance. There are many others, both local and nationally based. So find the one that works for your schedule, location, and fitness abilities.

You may have seen people sporting pink ribbon pins, pink bracelets, pink purses, pink nail polish, pink ribbon license plates, or even pink ribbon flags in front of their houses. Wearing or displaying pink gear contributes to cancer research, and reminds people around you that it’s important to help fight breast cancer. Many companies introduce brand new pink items just prior to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).

Use your social media networks to raise awareness of breast cancer. Link to breast cancer news articles through your Facebook page. Tweet facts about breast cancer and links to ways people can help fight it. Instagram pictures of your favorite breast cancer survivor, or pictures of you and your friends at the latest fundraising event. Create breast cancer-themed Pinterest boards showing your favorite pink clothing and crafts. Start your own blog to write reflections about breast cancer and details from your favorite survivor’s—or your own—journey.

If you have a little extra time and creative energy, you can host your own fundraiser in honor of your loved one with breast cancer. You can host an event at your house or at a local bar with a band, silent auction, comedy act, or other entertainment. Proceeds can go to a breast cancer research organization, and you can use the evening to tell people about ways to screen for and avoid breast cancer. Print it out on postcards to hand out at the door.

Your employer or a local business may be happy to work with you to incorporate breast cancer awareness and fundraising for a day or two a year. Ask your company to have a “jeans for breast cancer” day where everyone who contributes money to breast cancer research can wear jeans to work for a day. Ask a local restaurant to have a breast cancer dinner where a percentage of proceeds go to breast cancer research. Or if you have your own business, provide pink items for sale, or donate a portion of your proceeds to a breast cancer-related organization.

More than 200,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.  If a woman you love is one of them, there are several ways you can help her and others in the same position. Helping to raise breast cancer awareness can remind women to get breast cancer screening, raise money for research into cures, and let everyone know that you stand together with breast cancer survivors.