Here's What You Can Do To Support And Raise Breast Cancer Awareness
Every October, America bands together to fight against breast cancer by wearing pink, participating in fundraising efforts, and purchasing pink ribbon products. As a country, we care deeply about this issue because of its pervasiveness. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 40,290 women will die from breast cancer this year. Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by this terrible disease, and we are passionate about finding a cure. In recent years, however, industries and organizations have come under intense scrutiny for taking advantage of the breast cancer awareness movement.
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Not all pink ribbon products are created equal. Some companies donate very little of their pink ribbon product proceeds to organizations, and some of their products actually contribute to the development of breast cancer. Yoplait, for example, vows to donate 10 cents for every yogurt lid consumers redeem online. This means if you ate three yogurts every day during the entire four-month campaign you would only raise $36 dollars for the cause. Additionally, though Yoplait has recently changed this practice, the company used milk from cows injected with Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH). This hormone is thought to speed the growth of breast and prostate cancers. So how can you be sure your effort to fight against breast cancer isn't contributing to the cause? There are a variety of pink ribbon products that are not harmful to the environment or human health, and donate a significant amount of their proceeds to breast cancer organizations.
Northland Juices began the "Drink to Pink" initiative in 2006, during which proceeds from their line of juices are donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Their 100 percent juices are rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants and contain no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Their products are available year round, and regardless of sales, Northland donates $50,000 to BCRF annually. Another great product comes from Andy Boy, a California agricultural grower-shipper, which has donated over $1.2 million to BCRF. This year, shoppers can purchase Andy Boy's broccoli rabe to raise money for breast cancer. Broccoli rabe is one of many cruciferous vegetables, a class of produce that contains phytonutrients known to protect the body against cancer. Andy Boy will donate $100,000 this year, regardless of sales.
Finally, you can directly support women battling with breast cancer by purchasing a Breast BFFLBag. KIND Snacks, maker of all natural, whole ingredient products, teamed up with Dr. Elizabeth Thompson, radiation oncologist and founder of BFFL Co, to produce this product. It contains the items a woman needs during the days following her breast cancer surgery, including KIND bars, a toiletry kit, a comfort pillow, and more. You can purchase the bag for a loved one going through surgery, or you can buy one for a stranger and BFFL Co will donate it to a woman in need. Upon checkout, you decide which charity, Friends Fighting Breast Cancer or Soul Ryeders, will receive 15 percent of the proceeds.
The accompanying slideshow is provided by fellow Daily Meal special contributor Kristen Castillo.