Top Promotional Merchandise for Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer has become one of the most commonly recognized diseases in the world, affecting over 200,000 women and men annually in the United States each year. Fortunately for those diagnosed with the disease, there has been a broad movement to raise awareness of the disease during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Started in 1985 by AstraZeneca (a company that manufactures breast cancer treatment drugs), National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has become an annual awareness event joined by big-name companies. Each year a slew of products, both necessary and preposterous, are presented to the market with the same message behind them: get checked for breast cancer before it's too late. From breast cancer t-shirts to breast cancer bumper stickers and everything in-between, NBCAM's signature pink ribbon pops up on labels at department and grocery stores nationwide.

Some companies donate a portion of proceeds to fund cancer research, and some simply add the pink ribbon to products to remind you that now is the time to do a home-exam or visit your doctor for a mammogram. Check the label of any product with a pink ribbon to make sure you understand exactly who is giving and who isn't - as well as if there are any steps you need to take (like logging onto the website to vote or log a purchase) to make sure that funds are dispersed.

Regardless of whether you are looking to purchase a product that will give back to the community, or simply want to continue the drive for awareness, here is a list of the top 5 breast cancer awareness products that you will actually use.

1. Oakley Breast Cancer Awareness Edition Sun Glasses
www.oakley.com
Stylish and original, Oakley has partnered with the Young Survival Coalition® to produce a line of sunglasses that will leave you looking stylish and active while helping to support young women diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Oakley has committed to donating $20 to YSC from the sale of each of the special edition glasses. The collection includes the Oakley Ravishing, Enduring Pace, Commit SQ and Dangerous edition glasses, ranging in price from $130 to $180 per pair.

2. Pink Wheel Barrow for Breast Cancer Awareness
www.yardlover.com
Why not work to find a cure for breast cancer while you're spreading mulch and pulling weeds? Lightweight and rustproof, the Pink Wheel Barrow also has a unique continuous "loop" handle that makes pushing and dumping the wheelbarrow a snap compared to traditional split handles. Through a partnership program with www.RibbonSupport.com, $5 from the sale of each wheelbarrow is donated to a list of programs including the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc., Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society. Price: $79.99.

3. Conair Hair Straightners and Hair Dryers
www.conair.com
If you are shopping for a new blow-dryer, or if your straightened has flattened its last curl, consider buying one of Conair's The Power of Pink hair styling products. Ranging in price from $21.99 to $34.99, this line of dryers and straighteners will help you to look beautiful while you are helping others. Conair has committed to donating a minimum of $100,000 from the purchase of their products to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

4. Gift of Knowledge ™ Breast Cancer Awareness Vase by Lenox
www.lenox.com
Looking for a new Vase for that dozen roses on your mantle? This beautiful Lenox vase has etchings of overlapping ribbons throughout and a hint of pink in honor of breast cancer awareness. Affordable at $58.00 (although I found it on sale on Lenox's website for $29.95), 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the vase will be donated to www.Breastcancer.org.

5. Komen Geneva Notebook Case
www.mobileedge.com
All notebook totes are not created equal as shown by the Komen Geneva Notebook Tote from the Caring Case Collection. Including a computer protection compartment, a matching detachable cosmetics wristlet bag and a wireless secure pocket for protecting your cell phone or PDA from would-be hackers, this tote is as high-tech as it is highly stylized. Priced at $129.99, 10% of the retail price of the tote will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure program.

Always remember before you purchase any breast cancer awareness merchandise to check the label to understand where and how the money you are spending will be used. Whether you buy something as simple as a breast cancer awareness pin or something more elaborate for your home or office, you will be spending in a way that may touch someone's life - even your own.

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