8 Businesses To Support During Breast Cancer Awareness Month That Give Back

About one in eight women will get breast cancer in their life, according to the CDC. Here are some of the symptoms of breast cancer that everyone should know. Early detection with screening methods including self-exams and mammograms before the cancer spreads beyond the breast can help with overall survival rates, per the National Breast Cancer Foundation. 

One way to help people realize the importance of breast health is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It started in 1985 with former First Lady Betty Ford — who was diagnosed with breast cancer when President Ford was in office — helping with the inaugural event (via Brevard Health Alliance). The initiative has grown over the years, and there are a number of ways to get involved in the month of October. That includes a number of businesses donating proceeds from sales of certain items to support breast cancer research and support for those who are impacted by breast cancer. 

From skincare to shoes to spa treatments, these eight businesses are dedicated to helping the fight against breast cancer.

Oofos makes footwear specifically designed to help with recovery and lessen the stress on your joints as you walk. Recovery is key to helping make your workout benefits last longer. On October 13, they're launching their Project Pink OOahh Sport Slide, and for every purchase of those slides in October, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It's not just in October that Oofos donates though. Year-round, they donate 2% of their proceeds to breast cancer research; they've donated nearly $3 million at this point, according to their website.

It was in 2015 that they first launched Project Pink after Duncan Finigan, Oofos' global head of brand management and marketing, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Finigan sadly passed away in 2019 of breast cancer at the age of 59, per SGB Media. It's important for them, as Lou Panaccione, founder and CEO of Oofos explained to The List, to support cancer research because "OOFOS' mission is to make people feel better. Our dedication to working with Dana-Farber and helping find a cure for breast cancer is personal."

If you buy one of Vera Bradley's iconic quilted bags, or any other product, in Rose Toile or Happiness Returns Pink in the month of October, 20% will go to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. The foundation was created in 1998 in honor of Mary Sloan, one of Vera Bradley's first sales representatives, who died of breast cancer in 1993. They also have a canvas pouch with the word "Hope" on it; 100% of the net proceeds from the $20 item go to their foundation.

Terranea Resort is a beautiful oceanside resort along the cliffs of Rancho Palos Verdes, California near Los Angeles with a spa, golf course, eight restaurants, nature trails, and all kinds of activities from stand-up paddleboarding to falconry to painting. And for the 8th year, the resort is having Terranea Turns Pink in October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Along with lighting up the property in pink, they're giving money to Cancer Support Community South Bay, which provides free support to those with cancer and their families in South Bay, Long Beach, Orange County, and Play for P.I.N.K., which raises money for breast cancer research. Among the various ways they raise awareness about breast cancer are donating $1 for every signature body treatment at The Spa, $5 for every archery activity booked, and $1 for a specially created pink dessert and glass of rosé and Tanteo margarita.

Shep and Ian Murray are brothers and the co-founders of the clothing company Vineyard Vines, and raising money for breast cancer research and raising awareness of breast cancer comes from a very personal place for them. Their mother passed away from breast cancer in 2003. The clothing company has a limited edition Breast Cancer Awareness Collection with a range of items, including long sleeve shirts, ties, and notepads, and for the month of October, the company will donate part of the money made from the collection to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation — the world's largest private funder of breast cancer research.

In 1992, the cosmetics company Estée Lauder created the Pink Ribbon — designed by Evelyn H. Lauder — as a symbol for breast cancer awareness. The next year, Lauder founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

They have a limited edition Pink Ribbon line of products where portions of the proceeds from each item sold go to BCRF. That includes their Advanced Night Repair Serum — which Liz Hurley uses twice a day in her anti-aging skincare routine — a line of mini lipsticks in a pink purse, and a set of rose lip conditioner and cedar violet purse spray by AERIN.

Ghd has a limited edition pink collection where $20 from each purchase is donated to The Pink Agenda, a nonprofit dedicated to funding and supporting breast cancer research and helping those who have breast cancer. The collection includes their popular platinum+ styler, smoothing hot brush, hair dryer, and flat iron. They're all a vibrant pink, they all come with a matching heat-resistant bag, and they're all embossed with the phrase "Take Control Now" as a reminder for the user to do a monthly breast self-exam.

Luxury fashion house Jimmy Choo has partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) on the limited edition Power In Purpose collection of bright pink accessories, and they're giving 20% of the price of each item to BCRF. For this year's capsule collection, there are a couple of purse designs, a pair of sparkly sneakers, a silk scarf, and, of course, some gorgeous stilettos. The partnership with BCRF is part of the company's "commitment to creating positive change," per Jimmy Choo.

Ralph Lauren launched their worldwide Pink Pony initiative in 2000 to help fight cancer with a line of products featuring the brand's famous horse logo in pink. All the proceeds from a purchase of the fleece hoodie or oxford shirt in the Pink Pony line will go to cancer research. They have a range of other products in the collection: cashmere sweaters, sunglasses, perfume, kids' clothes, and the option to design your own shirt. Buy any item from the line and 25% of the purchase price goes to cancer research

You can also donate directly to the Pink Pony Fund, which gives grants to a number of organizations, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Ralph Lauren Center, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research.