Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets Blog

Posts Tagged ‘breast cancer awareness’

Cancer, in one form or another, has affected just about everyone, either directly or indirectly, at one time or another. Breast cancer accounts for 10.5 percent of all cancer in women, making it the second most common cancer affliction, after lung cancer, and No. 5 in the list of the most common cause of death from cancer-related illnesses. In 2004, breast cancer caused 519,000 deaths worldwide. That was seven percent of cancer deaths and nearly one percent of all deaths. Breast cancer is about one hundred times more common in women than in men. However, men do not fare as well against the disease, which is likely due to the fact that it is caught much later in diagnoses. These delays in identification mean that the cancer has a greater length of time to progress and continue to attack the body. In order to show support and in the hope that a cure will be found in the near future, people all over the world continue to support breast cancer charities.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) was founded fifteen years ago by Evelyn Lauder. Evelyn survived her personal cancer ordeal and is a senior corporate vice president of the Estee Lauder Companies. This organization helps fund research to find ways of preventing and curing cancer. This Foundation is part of the pink ribbon organization and hosts many fundraisers each year.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Marisa C. Weiss, MD., a radiation oncologist, started this organization in 1991. It was started from her home with volunteer staff members. Today, this organization provides support for breast cancer survivors, important resources for those seeking answers, and information for those trying to learn about this disease. The LBBC uses 83.7 percent of its funds to help patients with treatment, recovery, diagnosis, and survival. LBBC also offers support to caregivers and health professionals who work with breast cancer patients. This foundation is part of the pink ribbon organization as well.

National Breast Cancer Foundation. The mission of the NBCF is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need. This organization also participates in the Pink Ribbon Charities. NBCF was founded seventeen years ago by breast cancer survivor, Janelle Hail. Today, NBCF uses 80 percent of its donations for free mammograms to needy women who otherwise couldn’t afford the test. These funds also support education, early detection, and research for a cure.

Breast Cancer Network of Strength. Their website is available in ten different languages and also offers emotional support, information, and services for patients, survivors, and caregivers. BCNS is based out of Illinois, but has affiliates in fifteen other states. They use 76.8 percent of their funding towards programs for counseling, peer matching, education, and screening. This foundation has been offering support for breast cancer patients for thirty years and also participates in the Pink Ribbon Charities.

Most Charitable Impact. There are many other nonprofit organizations working to support the pursuit of breast cancer research, awareness, education, and early detection. The charities mentioned above are all rated as four-star charities by the Charity Navigator, which is a non-profit independent organization that evaluates charities. You can go to Charity Navigator’s website and research more than 5,000 non- profit organizations. Here you will also find their budget operations ratings along with sustainability. You can rest assured that based on the Charity Navigator ratings, the above charities will put your donations to good use.

For those women (or men) in your life that are fighting breast cancer, show them you are thinking of them with a pink ribbon gift basket.

We've added a line of Pink Ribbon Gifts!

At Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets, we've added a whole new line of gifts and gift baskets that incorporate pink ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness month.  With gifts starting at just $20 and a huge variety of treats such as gourmet cookies, brownies, chocolate covered oreos, and gourmet nuts, we've got something for everyone.  Part of the profits from some of these gifts will be donated to various cancer foundations in the U.S.

The pink ribbon has come to symbolize the solidarity behind the breast cancer movement and to support the thousands of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.  In 1991, the Susan G. Komen foundation first passed out pink ribbons to wear in their New York City race for the cure.  A breast cancer awareness stamp featuring a pink ribbon was incorporated on a U.S. stamp in 1996.  Most Breast Cancer Research Fundraisers are held during the month of October when many groups including the NFL in 2009 wear pink and buy pink items in support of the movement.

Click here to view all of the Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbon Merchandise available from Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets.