Fighting breast cancer with fashion, dance, fun and food
Those of us who are dedicated to fighting breast cancer know that it’s a battle fought on many fronts, year-round. But each October, the spotlight shines specially on the disease and the need for awareness, education and support for research that may someday find the cure. Here are some fantastic ways we can support the cause:
In an event that hits two of my favorite notes — a crucial cause and eating sweets — the Bakes for Breast Cancer Massachusetts event week runs through Thursday. Bakeries, restaurants, grocery stores and more all across the state will bake up a dessert and donate 100% of the proceeds from the week back to breast cancer funding and research. A few to tempt your philanthropy: Kane’s Donuts (on Rte. 1 in Saugus and in Boston’s financial district) is making a strawberry frosted doughnut; Prezza in the North End is whipping up bread pudding; and Roche Brothers’ Chocolate Chip Cookies will go toward the cause. Since its beginning in 1999, Bakes for Breast Cancer has raised over $2 million.
On Oct. 23, the 2021 Komen Massachusetts Virtual MORE THAN PINK Walk gets moving. So far it’s raised almost $95,000 and is aiming to raise $170,000. Sign up now at komen.org. The organization is uniquely structured to fund four pillars — research, care, community and action. These areas aim to find a cure, comfort and support those living with breast cancer, and advocate for access to care for every woman who needs it.
Also on Oct. 23, Lily Tomlin (yes, of “Frankie & Grace” fame, among so many other things) swings into town to appear at the 24th Annual LGBTQ+ Dance: Party for Prevention put on by the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. Like so many others this year, the event will be held virtually. Tickets to attend for adults are on a sliding scale of $15, $30 or $45. Tickets for students are $10. To purchase, go to the MBCC website at mbcc.org or call 800-6496222.
Last Tuesday I was honored to serve, along with my husband, Ricki Goldin, as co-chair of the 18th annual auction to raise funds for Find The Cause Breast Cancer Foundation. The nonprofit organization understands that 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer (including me) have no family history of the disease, and so they’re focused on funding groundbreaking research to find the environmental causes of the disease. And even though the auction is over, you can donate at findthecausebcf.org.
Meanwhile, over at Kings Dining & Entertainment (kings-de.com) in Boston, Burlington, Dedham and Lynnfield, the upscale bowling alleys/eateries are launching a corporate partnership with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Starting in October, anytime anyone bowls a strike in a lane set up with a pink pin in it, Kings will make a donation to Dana Farber Cancer Institute. What’s more, any guest who donates $5 to Dana-Farber will get a $5 Kings bonus card for their next visit. The company will also be selling pink bowling socks for the month with all proceeds donated to Dana-Farber.
And as with every year, a bevy of pink products that donate their sales to the cause abound. But this October, there are items cute enough that you actually want to wear them year-round. A prime example: In a nod to just how essential athleisure’s become in all of our wardrobes, there’s the Splendid X National Breast Cancer Foundation Collection (splendid.com/splendid-x-national-breast-cancerfoundation). Every time you buy one of the line’s pieces (the Space Dye Joggers and Tie Dye Thermal Tops are extra-cute), they’ll donate a mammogram to a woman in need.