Black women have a lower incidence rate of breast cancer but a higher mortality rate than their white counterparts. Translated, that means African-American women are less likely to develop the disease but 41 percent more likely to die from it than white women. What’s more, African-American women are less likely to survive for five years after diagnosis.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual opportunity to spend your dollars on products and services that benefit breast cancer advocacy, research, and patient care services. However, experts say that the clutter of pink products on store shelves and online can make savvy shopping a challenge.
“Determining if a given product sold during October actually benefits a breast cancer charity is not always easy,” says Sarah Rosales, vice president of Corporate Partnerships at Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization.
One way to ensure that your purchases are making the impact you think they will is by shopping with Komen’s Annual Live Pink program. This year, Komen has partnered with more than 25 companies, and the lineup of products and services available includes everything from specially designed clothing and skincare products to bagels and bikes.
By shopping with the brands in the Live Pink portfolio during October, you can help fund research and care services that support people through their breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. Program details are transparent on the Live Pink site. To learn more and to shop, visit komen.org/livepink.
For other purchases you make this National Breast Cancer Awareness Month that makes charitable claims, Susan G. Komen recommends asking the following questions:
- What charity is the program supporting? Do promotional materials about the product or service clearly and conspicuously state this information?
- How will the benefitting charity use the donation? You should be made aware of where your money is going and what charitable programs your purchase will support. Funds raised to benefit Komen, for example, support the organization’s advocacy for breast cancer patients, investments in research, and a number of direct patient care services.
- How is the program structured? What percentage or exact amount of proceeds will go to the charity? Will the company be making a minimum or maximum donation to the charity? Shop only with companies that offer transparency with regard to program details and how donations are structured.
By shopping savvy this October, you can support the fight against breast cancer and ensure your purchases are making the biggest impact possible.