For four decades now, October has been recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time annually devoted to educating everyone about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and timely, high-quality care.
One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime – that’s about one person every 2 minutes. No matter who you are or where you live, breast cancer may touch your life.
We invite you to dedicate this October as a time of action, both for yourself and others. We have several ways you can get involved with Komen.
Ways To Give
One of the easiest ways to support Komen is to make a donation. You can choose a one-time donation or sign up for a monthly gift online. Don’t forget to check to see if your employer offers a matching gift program. If so, ask your company to match your donation.
Or perhaps you’re interested in Planned Giving, where you can create a legacy of hope. Add Komen to your existing will or trust or write a will for free online and create a bequest with our partner, FreeWill. You can also honor someone you love or an important event by making a Memorial or Tribute gift. There are many unique ways you can give to Komen, including through cryptocurrency, from an IRA called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) or even gifts of stock.
Ways to Shop
It’s never too early to start shopping for the holidays, and Komen offers ways to shop products that give back. When you make a purchase at Live Pink, a portion of all products benefit Komen. And every dollar you spend through ShopKomen, from apparel to accessories to gifts, benefit Komen and help support our mission.
Ways to Partner
Join our community of corporate partners, express your company’s social responsibility among staff, customers and the breast cancer community. Invite customers to support your mission and commitment to ending breast cancer. Whether it be products benefiting Komen or donations at checkout, cause marketing provides an easy way for customers to engage.
You can also sponsor a Komen event, educational program or informational campaign. The National Corporate Team Program enables companies to engage employees virtually or in person, regardless of geography, in Komen’s signature race and walk events.
Looking to boost your company’s employee engagement? We invite you to raise funds and share information about breast health with your employees during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Ways to Fundraise
If you love a sense of community and spending time with loved ones, consider one of Komen’s signature events. The MORE THAN PINK Walk and Race for the Cure are great ways to gather friends and family members together to raise funds and awareness to end breast cancer. Walks and Races occur across the country each Fall and Spring.
If something a little more intense is your style, consider signing up for a 3-Day event, where participants walk 60-miles over three days, on a route fully supported by an experienced and energetic crew.
Or consider starting a fundraiser of your own. Every dollar makes a difference in the fight against breast cancer, and you can turn any activity or event into a fundraiser. Interested in putting together a movie night, bake sale or dog wash? Look into DIY Fundraising. Want to celebrate your birthday or honor a loved one? Consider Facebook Fundraising. If you are affiliated with a school, group or athletic team, Komen has resources to help you plan the perfect fundraiser for your organization.
And, if you’re into pickleball, the hottest game around, you can turn your passion for pickleball into a force for good through Komen’s Pickleball for the Cure.
Ways to Volunteer
Volunteers are the heart of our organization, and when you volunteer with Komen, you’re helping to save the lives of people in your community. Whether it’s helping set up or take down an event in your area, serving on a local committee or recruiting participants, we have a volunteer role for you.
Komen’s Worship in Pink Ambassadors serve as breast health advocates, leading activities to promote the importance of breast health and breast cancer screening.
Another way to engage with Komen is to get involved with community work or advocacy efforts. If you are undergoing treatment for breast cancer, consider joining a clinical trial. If you want to be a champion for change, consider advocacy work. Komen Advocates help legislate change or serve as Advocates in Science.
After nearly four decades, Komen remains committed to doing everything we can to save lives from breast cancer — but we know we cannot do it alone.
