By Yonni Wattenmaker
Each October, there is an explosion of pink as retailers, airlines, restaurants and others all around the country prepare to bring awareness to breast cancer.
At Breast Cancer Alliance, our pursuit of better treatments and, ultimately cures, is steadfast all year long, but October affords us a window of added attention to bring awareness, quality education and funding to the forefront.
Did you know that one in eight women, and one in 726 men, will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime?
Did you know that Black and Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish women are at higher risk for BRCA 1/2 mutations, but mortality is highest among Hispanic women?
Did you know that one quarter of the patients being treated for breast cancer are women under the age of 50, the age at which mammograms for women without a prior family history are recommended to being?
Did you know that when detected early, breast cancer has a 90% survival rate? Unfortunately, 30% of patients diagnosed with breast cancer face metastatic disease for which there are enhanced treatments but currently no cures.
On Tuesday, October 1, the BCA flag will once again be raised at Greenwich Town Hall where it will remain for the entirety of October as a symbol of hope and possibility. Following the raise, we will host our annual pop-up boutique at a private home in Riverside with fabulous vendors donating 20% of sales. For more information, follow BCA on Instagram @breastcanceralliance or call the office for details.
Our October-long GoForPink initiatives include partners near and far, such as Gas Bijoux, Jane Win, David Yurman, Hudson Grace, LoveShackFancy, Petticoat Lane, Pologeorgis Richards, Riko’s Pizza, Veronica Beard, Vince, Walker & Wade, Wildacre Rotisserie, Z Hospitality and many others will be hosting shopping events, offering special menu items and fitness classes, all with a percentage of proceeds benefitting BCA.
Why come out to dine or shop? All of the proceeds from your engagement in our activities go directly to grants for 2025. BCA will fund innovative new research from which new treatments and cures will ultimately occur. Breast surgical fellowships, propelling more highly skilled, specially trained doctors onto the frontlines of breast cancer surgeries, is a critical part of our mission. BCA continues to provide grants to institutions to remove financial obstacles to care for patients near or below the poverty line and for whom medical costs are a crippling burden.
In addition to getting a mammogram, there are other steps you can take to promote breast health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes a “plant-slant” diet high on fruits and vegetables and lower on fried and processed foods; exercise regularly, at least a few times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes each time; perform self-breast exams each month so you can be aware of any changes in your breast tissue. If you notice any lumps or abnormalities on your breast or under your arms, regardless of age or gender, be sure to consult with your doctor right away. If you have an immediate family member with a history of breast cancer, begin your screening ten years prior to their age at diagnosis, even if that puts you under age 40. Want to learn more? We continue to host free educational programs on line with our Webinar series, all of which can be found under the resources tab at Breastcanceralliance.org
BCA’s Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show will be held at Westchester Country Club on October 23rd from 11am until 2pm. In addition to the stunning clothes from AKRIS, and the inspiring story of The Home Edit co-founder and breast cancer survivor, Clea Shearer, the signature Models of Inspiration fashion show will, yet again, be a highlight of the afternoon. A dozen brave and strong women will walk the runway, sharing their stories from diagnosis to the present. Club Pink: Your Fight is Our Fight, is this year’s theme, and we urge you to join in that fight! Purchase your ticket to join us: https://one.bidpal.net/bcaluncheon24/welcome
Yonni has been serving as Executive Director of Breast Cancer Alliance since June 2011.
