If you want to support a breast cancer organization, but you don’t want to buy stuff like the product’s mentioned in yesterday’s post, you can donate money directly to breast cancer organization(s). Where it made sense, I took the information directly from the organization’s website so that you can quickly see exactly what each organization does. Please consider donating to one of these Breast Cancer RESEARCH organizations:

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade (both research and support) – The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade was launched in 1992 as a small pioneering program in the U.K. Avon in the U.S. adopted the Crusade the following year. Over the last 18 years, Avon philanthropy has raised and donated more than $700 million to breast cancer programs around the world, supporting cutting-edge research to find a cure for or prevent breast cancer as well as programs that enable all patients to access quality care. Funding supports awareness and education: screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. Beneficiaries of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade range from leading cancer research and clinical centers to community-based, non-profit breast health education programs.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation – Our mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Currently, over 90 cents of every dollar donated goes to research and awareness programs.

Kohl’s Cares Supporting Women’s Health (both research and support) – As part of our commitment to fight breast cancer in Wisconsin, Kohl’s will donate more than $7 million over the next three years to the American Cancer Society’s Midwest division and the Southeastern WI affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

• Kohl’s partnership with the American Cancer Society’s Midwest division will focus on educating women about breast health care. Specifically, program elements include development and distribution of a breast health kit containing resources to reduce risk and manage treatment; funding of new health care positions and programs to educate and provide assistance throughout our communities; research funding; and event sponsorship.
• Kohl’s partnership with the Southeastern WI affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is aimed at increasing breast health screenings through a grassroots based education program; a marketing campaign designed to incite women to take action; financial assistance for those unable to pay for a mammogram and event sponsorship.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure (both research and support) – Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer with her heart, body and soul. Throughout her diagnosis, treatments, and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her own situation. That concern for others continued even as Susan neared the end of her fight. Moved by Susan’s compassion for others and committed to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. That promise is now Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1.9 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we’re working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®, and generous contributions from our partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, we have become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

Women at Risk – Women At Risk (WAR®) is the Breast Cancer Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, whose mission is to enhance the lives of women who are at high risk for the development of breast cancer and women with breast cancer through research, education and support. (In some articles, a specific fund is mentioned – Kevin Morrissey Fund). (both research and support)

Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund – Their goal is very simple: to save lives by raising critical funds to help fast track more effective approaches to the early diagnosis of women’s cancers.

American Cancer Society – Although they address many types of cancer, breast cancer is one of the most highlighted through this group. (both research and support)

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation – It is only in the last few years that professionals studying breast cancer have concluded that breast cancer is not one disease, but many different forms of cancer all originating in the breast. Depending on its stage of diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer can be extremely aggressive and more likely to recur and metastasize than other subtypes of breast cancer. It typically is responsive to chemotherapy, although it can be more difficult to treat because it is unresponsive to the most effective receptor targeted treatments.

These research organizations are focused on funding research to find a cure for breast cancer – that means your donation will help in the long-term effort to find a cure for breast cancer. If you are looking for a more immediate impact for your donation, stay tuned for tomorrow’s post on organizations that support breast cancer in the here and now.

If you know of other breast cancer RESEARCH organizations, please leave me comment with the organization’s name and info and I will add it to the list.