Proud To Be Wearing Pink

October: the season of pumpkins, apple picking, fall foliage, wood-burning fireplaces, trick-or-treating, marathons, and crisp autumn weather. Have you also been seeing shades of pink? It's officially National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

The NBCAM organization is a partnership of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies that work together to promote breast cancer awareness, advocate the importance of early detection, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to screening services. Pretty important stuff, considering current statistics reveal 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime. These statistics are real: a few years ago, my Mother found herself in this approximate 13th percentile. Thanks to the amazing advancements in research, medicine, and technology, she is now radiant and cancer-free.

Although leaps and bounds have been made in the fight against breast cancer, (especially within the past decade), there is no cure. This is why October stands as a reminder: there is still a long road ahead and raising funds for research is a top priority.

The most responsible way to support breast cancer research is to make a donation directly to an organization that concentrates more on providing support than they do on administrative costs, marketing, or fund-raising. Susan G. Komen For the Cure, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation are four venerable organizations that combined, have raised hundreds of millions of dollars in the fight against cancer.

Many manufacturers are also donating a portion of their proceeds to a cure. Below are several companies whose affordable products make noteworthy contributions:

Aveda Hand Relief / $21.00

Animal-cruelty free, super-rich lotion soothes chapped hands and offers incredible aromatherapy. $4.00 from each purchase goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Wacoal bras from the Wacoal Awareness Collection.

These specially labeled collection of Wacoal bras is available at major department stores, specialty lingerie shops, and via online retailers. Also be on the lookout for nationwide Fit for the Cure events where Wacoal conducts complimentary fittings and donates $2.00 every time someone gets fitted. For each Awareness product purchased, an additional $2.00 goes to Susan G. Komen.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer Cover / $29.99

Does someone you know own a classic KitchenAid Artisan Series mixer? Here's the perfect gift: an adorable pink Stand Mixer Cover. Purchased and registered, it yields a $3.00 donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. That makes baking cookies even sweeter.

Ford's Warriors in Pink 2009 Woven Scarf / $38.00

Help Ford reach its $1 million donation commitment to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. One hundred percent of net proceeds ($30.50) from the sale of this warm and autumn-chic scarf get donated to the cause. Check out Ford's Warriors in Pink website for other great ways to support their contribution.