Oh, Fall! There is something so strikingly reminiscent and nostalgic about the month of October when the air changes suddenly and the whiffs of pumpkin spice and cinnamon-flavored apple pies engulf our senses. In addition to the spooky revelry of Halloween, which includes everything from hayrides and haunted houses to the rustling trees covered in brightly hued leaves, October bears the green flag for the upcoming holiday season. This is the season of cozy jumpers, scary movies, and pumpkin-spiced everything. The annual shedding of trees of the fall season that leaves us with an everlasting promise of new blooms in the spring season, October may have always been considered the season of romantics and poets, but most importantly it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
October is also known as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), where people, communities, and businesses from all over the world come together to show their support for people affected by breast cancer and reassure them that we are in this together. Also referred to as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) in America, it is an international health campaign that is annually held by primary breast cancer awareness organizations and charity groups. Starting on October 1st and ending on the 31st every year, BCAM strives to create awareness about the disease and raise funds for its research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. For all the people that have been affected by breast cancer, this campaign aims to offer both information and support in addition to awareness about the importance of early screening tests and more. This hopeful campaign was founded in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca, producer of several anti-breast cancer drugs). From the very start, this campaign aims to highlight mammography as the most effective weapon to fight breast cancer.
In the year 1993, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was established by Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estée Lauder Companies, and established the 'Pink Ribbon' as the symbol of breast cancer globally. Various activities are organized around the world in the month of October including runs and walks incorporating the color pink, along with pink illumination of landmark buildings and monuments around the world, that symbolizes the fight against breast cancer and support for the breast cancer fighters. The money raised in these breast cancer programs is used for awareness programs and treatments of breast cancer patients.
Each year there are 334000 cases of breast cancer in the United States and there is always somebody who knows someone affected by this disease. Since the month of October is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness, there are millions of people who have come together internationally to show their support for this cause. Let us explore some of the ways in which you can show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Since pink is considered to be the international symbol for breast cancer, you can start wearing a pink ribbon or a pink outfit to express your moral support for those who are diagnosed or fighting with breast cancer. There is also a national initiative to wear pink on the 18th of October where you and your loved ones can show your support for the great cause by wearing something pink or just the pink ribbon representing breast cancer with your regular outfits.
Anyone who knows somebody battling with breast cancer can always find a way to make their life easier by offering to do simple things that can make a huge difference. For example, walking the dog or driving them to the doctor's appointment, or easily preparing simple meals, that might look like simple deeds but is actually substantial in the bigger picture. Also, there are many chemo wards that take donations like clothing and essentials, where you can donate and offer your services to benefit the community.
A majority of breast cancer patients have very limited knowledge about the disease until the diagnosis takes place, which in turn results in late diagnosis and difficult recovery. For helping an existing or potential cancer patient, it is very essential to understand the risks and early symptoms of breast cancer and how it can be prevented. When you understand the importance of breast cancer awareness, about mammograms and checking breast abnormalities, you can also go ahead and educate your immediate surroundings and society, which can be a great defense against breast cancer.
The critical ways of finding prevention and cure for breast cancer is research. Currently, foundations and research companies are funding dedicated researchers who are trying to find out why breast cancer happens in certain patients and what are the most effective ways to treat the disease. The entire work relies on donations and funds, and each contribution has a huge impact on the research of breast cancer. There are many people around the world who have built communities to raise money for this great cause like organizing sports activities, cultural functions, and community building exercises.
Sauntering down the aisle in a crisp white wedding gown is one of the most coveted dreams of every woman. And hence, one of the most important decisions that a bride makes while planning her wedding is choosing the best wedding dress for herself that adorns her and makes her shine like a diamond on her wedding day. Evoking priceless emotions and reflecting the unique style and personal taste, a wedding dress means much more than just a regular dress for a bride. Whether you have always envisioned yourself as a vintage bride with a traditional look or a modern bride with a sophisticated and chic look, your wedding dress tells a lot about your personality and unique sense of style.
With time more and more brides are opting for wedding decisions that make an impact or create a difference towards a better world. From brides looking to have an eco-friendly wedding to create a positive impact on the environment and the community to brides supporting local vendors for the wedding day, we have seen brides who are looking to create a positive impact with each wedding decision. Each unique wedding decision that you take creates an influence that can truly have a snowball effect and inspire many other brides-to-be. Every bride who is looking to create a difference on her wedding day and make it memorable by doing something unique, have the perfect opportunity to do so with an idea so unique and significant.
Founded in 1997, Brides Against Breast Cancer (BABC) has sold over 50,000 wedding dresses throughout the nation and donated millions of dresses to charity since its inception. Operating from Atlantis since April 2017, the bridal boutique in Chamblee is an amazing place for getting your hands on off-the-rack designer wedding dresses that can cost you only 20% of the actual retail cost. Filling up a unique niche in the bridal fashion scene, Brides Against Breast Cancer is a great way to add extra meaning to your wedding dress shopping experience and make it worthwhile. From wedding dresses priced between $99 to $999 with couture bridal gowns priced up to $2999, a significant amount from every dress that you buy from Brides Against Breast Cancer goes to a great cause. Partnered with Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Charity, BABC supports breast cancer causes, where sample and pre-owned wedding dresses are donated for breast cancer awareness and treatment programs. Also, the revenue generated by Brides Against Breast Cancer makes it possible to deliver free information and services to thousands of people impacted by breast cancer.
“We are pleased to help women in financial need for their special wedding day while also bringing awareness to breast cancer,” said BABC’s CEO Drew Edwards. Almost 1 out of 7 women in contemporary times are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and the ratio is increasing every single day. The main mission of BABC is to decrease the prevalence by increasing the impact of breast cancer awareness and early detection education. The helpful staff and crew at Brides Against Breast Cancer host bridal shows around the country, where to-be brides can browse through millions of pre-owned and off-the-rack designer wedding dresses. The hundreds of preloved wedding gowns ranging in a variety of styles and sizes by hundreds of bridal fashion and designer brands are available at a very affordable price. After donating over half of its funding to breast cancer awareness and treatment causes, BABC continues to strive as a social enterprise charity for this amazing cause which generates its income from reselling donated wedding dresses.
“BABC is innovative in how it conducts business and also in how it gives back to causes and brides. We’re proud to have a partnership with Brides Against Breast Cancer,” said Sheryl Cherico, President of the Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Fund Charity. The main vision and mission of BABC, which is mainly operating as a social enterprise charity, are to impart affordable pre-loved wedding dresses for to-be brides and share the profits generated with breast cancer charities nationwide. Wedding dresses are sold mainly via three ways- the Atlanta flagship retail store, the web-store, and the traveling “Wedding Dress ExperienceTM” shows where they host bridal shows across the country and enable brides to browse and shop from among millions of wedding dresses.
The current Volunteer Executive Director was greatly moved by this cause after buying a wedding dress for his wife in 2015 from Brides Against Breast Cancer. All the brides who are looking to create a difference on their wedding day, are buying a wedding dress from BABC can help to generate funds toward programs for raising awareness and fighting breast cancer. If the big discount on a designer wedding dress or branded bridal gown is not lucrative enough, buying a pre-owned wedding dress can be your own step towards a greener earth, as you would successfully eliminate the waste materials that go into making a wedding dress. If having a green wedding is your ideal way of celebrating new beginnings, buying your dream wedding dress from Brides Against Breast Cancer perks up this amazing decision for a greater cause and gives you all the more reasons to do so.
Your wedding day was perfect and you definitely ended up looking like a dreamy showstopper in that sophisticated and chic wedding gown. But if you haven't thought much about your wedding dress post-reception dry cleaning, and are wondering about what to do with your wedding dress, you can always consider making a huge difference by donating it to a great cause. After investing so much emotional energy on selecting the perfect wedding gown, donating your wedding dress to BABC is the perfect way to make sure that the brilliant piece of wedding dress has a new home. For every conscientious bride who would love to give a second life to her wedding dress, can give away her meaningful piece of clothing to a significant charity that is devoted to helping women.
For all the Marie Kondo fans out there, who think that it is time to tidy up and clean your closet, might want to get started by donating the crisp white wedding gown to a charity that supports breast cancer causes and receive a 501(c)3 donation receipt and maybe save money on taxes too. You might always want to keep your wedding dress for so many sentimental reasons, but it is also very important to understand that preserving a wedding dress needs a lot of attention and care. Donating your wedding dress can help a soon-to-be bride and her family in need while also giving your dress a brand new life.
Borrowing Magnolia is proudly joining hands with Brides Against Breast Cancer for bringing awareness about breast cancer as well as taking a step towards greener earth by encouraging recycling. For all the brides who love to make conscientious wedding decisions- donating your wedding dress or buying a pre-loved bridal gown can be an ideal way to celebrate new beginnings by putting the best foot forward.
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