October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I’d like to bring a little attention to it. There is a scary statistic that 1 in 8 women will experience breast cancer during her lifetime. My mom had lumps removed from her breasts when I was just a kid, probably 10 or 11, which is the same age my kids are now. I don’t remember being scared about it, mostly matter of fact. OK, she found a lump and had it removed – it was benign. Life moves on. But what happens if a lump isn’t benign and it is malignant? One of my best friend’s mom died as a result of breast cancer when we were in high school. This meant that I was aware of the worst kind of ravages of breast cancer from an early age. I like to support causes that are important to me and my friends and hopefully you do too.

Some people like to do different things to support a cause. Many products are being developed to support the breast cancer cause. I personally like it when there is a connection between the product and the cause I want to support. I don’t want to go around buying things I don’t need, I’d rather donate the money straight to the organization.

In this case, for breast cancer, there are tons of products out there that are donating a portion of the proceeds that they generate to a specific breast cancer cause. Today I am highlighting a few of the ones I have found. Although for some of these products, there isn’t a direct connection to breast cancer, these highlighted products focus on the pink aspect of the pink ribbon used to raise awareness about breast cancer. I suppose the most direct connection of a “breast cancer” product would be a bra, but I didn’t see one of them being sold for product donations.

Running Shoes – Reebok’s Pink Ribbon ZigFly running shoes $125 (40% goes to Avon Breast Cancer Crusade) reebok.com – although the website I found says it costs $99.98. Based on the reviews – I might have to try out these running shoes! Avon also has their own list of products that support their foundation.

Exercise clothing – Fila sport top – I love the pink geometric shapes on the ribbed tanks – $10 kohls.com 100% goes to Kohl’s Cares Supporting Women’s Health. Kohl’s & Fila have a ton of products and they are all $5 or $10 and specifically for the 100% give back to breast cancer through Kohl’s Cares. I actually ordered two of the tanks and the microfiber towel (for my gym bag).

Slippers – want an alternative to pink fuzzy slippers – try these Needham Lane Isabelle Pink slippers. $30, needhamlane.com 20% goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation & PJs to go with the slippers – Pink Owl Piggy Pajamas – these are supposed to get softer with every wash, piggypajamas.com $89.95, 20% goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Pink Shirt – crumple zones – this crinkled shirt looks like you retrieved it off the floor from under a large pile of laundry and tossed it on. Barry Love shirt from Frank & Eileen, frankandeileen.com $198, 20% goes to Keep a Breast Foundation.

Unique pink/red dyed cashmere scarf – White + Warren a dip-dye wrap from White + Warren $365 whiteandwarren.com, 50% goes to Women at Risk to find a cure for breast cancer. There are several scarves listed on the site as breast cancer specific products.

There are tons more products out there from dog leashes to jewelry that are jumping on the “caring products” band wagon. The percentages donated ranged from 20% to 100%, so be sure to check where the money is supposed to go and what percentage is going to that organization. I like the ones that donate at the 50% or more level because it shows a deeper commitment in terms of “it’s not about the product,” it’s about the support for the charitable organization and the product is a way to do that. Hopefully some of the “pink” products will have a longer lasting effect for breast cancer awareness as people who bought them and use them remember their support each time. I know I will for the fitness products I purchased.

If you don’t want to buy a product to support breast cancer – stay tuned for tomorrow’s post which will highlight a few breast cancer research organizations.

If you have a breast cancer story or comment, please share it in the comments or send me a private message if you don’t want to share it in the comments.