ShareThisBy HELEN MALANI
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
October is breast cancer awareness month. Make an extra effort to rally around this battle by donating to the many organizations that are helping fight against this disease. Every penny you spend makes a difference to the campaign.
A way to make a difference is by shopping. It may sound trivial but it's not when a portion of your purchase goes to breast cancer research. As you're probably aware, the pink ribbon has become a national symbol for breast cancer awareness. During October you will see many products in stores and at online retailers carrying the symbol, which indicates a portion of the sale will be donated to breast cancer research.
At the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 50 percent to 80 percent of the purchase price of products sold at www.komen.org/marketplace benefits the foundation. There's a lot to choose including great housewarming gifts like the Better Homes and Garden Limited Edition Cookbook for $22.50 and the Kitchen Aid set of three must haves for any kitchen _ a spatula, a whisk and a peeler, all in pink of course, for $30.
Pink Pony is Polo Ralph Lauren's initiative in the fight against cancer. With a focus on breast cancer, Pink Pony supports programs for early diagnosis, education, treatment and research and is dedicated to bringing patient navigation and quality cancer care to medically underserved communities. Ten percent of proceeds from Pink Pony products benefit the Pink Pony Fund (www.polo.com).
The Pink Ribbon Shop (www.pinkribbonshop.com) carries a unique line of breast cancer awareness pink ribbon products from pins to scarves to car magnets, band bracelets, shirts, sweatshirts, scrubs, socks and more.
Another leader in the fight is the Breast Cancer Research Foundation founded by Evelyn Lauder 14 years ago. Its Web site, www.bcrfcure.org features everything from yoga mats to skis to an Anne Klein cashmere sweater. My absolute favorite stocking stuffer item to buy early is Stila's IT gloss trio in shades of pink, for $34, which can be purchased at www.stilacosmetics.com and, has over the years, raised thousands of dollars for the cause.
There are a lot of partners out there supporting the cause, including vacuum maker Oreck, which has introduced an Ultra Hypo-Allergenic Vacuum Cleaner in pink. If you'll be in the market for a new vacuum, why not consider this fine machine available at www.cleanforthecure.com or any Oreck store. Fifty dollars of your purchase will go to the Komen Foundation. To date Oreck has already raised more than $600,000. With results like that, it's clear that all of us collectively can help find a cure.
Helen Malani is the chief shopping expert for Shopzilla.com, an E.W. Scripps company, and the largest comparison shopping search engine on the Web. For more columns visit www.scrippsnews.com.
