10 Unique Ways to Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 17, 2018 by Samuel Grinczel

Chances are high that someone important to you will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime or that you know someone who has already battled the disease. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and also affects a small percentage of men. For perspective, consider that there is a breast cancer diagnoses every two minutes and a death every 13 minutes. 

There are many ways to support awareness and research of breast cancer in order to improve screening methods for early detection and to provide better treatment for those in need. The following 10 suggestions go beyond a month of pink and can be done all year!

10 Unique Ways to Support Breast Cancer

1. Donate Directly for Medical Support:
A donation is a great way to support groups who empower women currently struggling with cancer. There are many allies in the fight against breast cancer and many foundations provide education and medical assistance to women in need nationwide. The Lynn Sage Cancer Foundation and The Rose are just two groups that provide ground-level aid to cancer patients currently in medical care.  

2. Fundraising With the National Breast Cancer Foundation:
If you have the time, the National Breast Cancer Foundation has the tools. They are advocates for early detection and providing financial and educational help to women in need. They also offer all of the mentoring and materials needed to drive a successful fundraising campaign. This highly rewarding method is useful in that it raises donations while also spreading awareness with its highly-visible nature.

3. Organize a Car Wash:

Get a group of friends and colleagues together who want to help make a difference! A car wash is a casual and meaningful activity to participate in that can lead to big donations. Cleaning cars is a fun service to provide and everyone will appreciate their donations going towards breast cancer awareness. It’s a great way to get outside, too!

4. Reach Out to People in Your Life:
Perhaps you know someone fighting breast cancer. Both the cancer and its treatment can take a harsh toll on those who struggle with it, making simple things become increasingly difficult. Be active in providing help and offer yourself for specific chores such as walking the dogs, getting some groceries, or giving a ride to a breast cancer support group.

5. Support Funding for Research Initiatives:
Cancer is a very dynamic condition and requires different types of treatments in its different stages. While early detection with treatment tends to have a positive outcome, a late-stage cancer diagnosis can often end fatally. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation have proven themselves to be pioneers in finding new solutions to cancer treatments.

6. Donate Items to a Chemotherapy Center:
Donating the things that you no longer use is a great way to help out, beyond October. Oncology centers across the nation will accept textile items such as blankets and scarves. It is unlikely you will get to meet any individual that you will be supporting, but you can rest assured that any donation accepted will be a big help.

7. Adapt Your Spending Habits:
If you have a taste for spendy coffee drinks, consider some other options. You could find a new coffeeshop or café that helps support breast cancer research efforts. Another possibility is to find more affordable options and donate the cost difference to research foundations (see above!).

8. Speak to Local Government:
The current healthcare landscape can be challenging to navigate and budget cuts over the past decade have negatively affected cancer research. Necessary medications can become hard to obtain for those in dire need. Write to congress and speak with your local representatives, find out who you can count on to start making a difference for cancer research.

9. Host an Auction or Other Event:
An auction is a superb way to raise funds and increase community involvement for breast cancer research. Find local businesses to donate items and find crafty people to create goods as well! This can bring a lot of people together and show you just how many people are affected by their own or others’ struggle with breast cancer.

10. Register For a Footrace:
There are events nationwide with 5k run/walks being very common and easy to participate in. Your registration donations go towards breast cancer treatment research and the larger the race the more visible they will be! The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Walk and Susan G. Komen’s Race For The Cure are two great races with online resources to quickly locate an event near you.

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