BCAM. What it is?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every October since my diagnosis in February of 2010 has been painted pink. In all honesty, I don’t even remember a special October before my diagnosis. I remember fall, football, and camping; not pink ribbons.
October has meant many things to me throughout the last decade. It has been filled with hope, fear, love, and anxiety. How could something so inspirational also feel so negative? Living a young life with breast cancer means, every morning waking up facing the unknown while simultaneously, every night thankful for getting to live just one more day.
This October is different for some reason. Why? Because I am tired. For the last 10 years, I have worked hard to drive awareness of underrepresented communities of young women with breast cancer, Stage IV Metastatic breast cancer, and our BIPOC community and the disparities represented throughout our healthcare systems. A decade is a long time to be having the SAME conversations.
We are STILL talking about how our bodies are our choice. How patients have the right to make the best decisions when it comes to surgery for their treatment and lifestyle. How we are not funding enough research to save the lives of 1/3 of those diagnosed with breast cancer. How our black and African American community dies at a more aggressive rate than white counter parts. How Pink-Washing is still a problem!
I am grateful to get to use my talents, my love, my passion every day to support my community that is so near and dear to my heart. I am thankful that I get to do the work.
Today I am tired, but I will not give up. Because tomorrow, I WANT CHANGE.
Join us, help us raise the voices of those that are not heard, support a cause that is important to you this month.
And remember, your heart is the most sacred part of it all, if you want to close the pink curtain and take a break this month, you deserve it.
My love, always and forever.
Dana
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We are proud to continue our support of Living Beyond Breast Cancer throughout October.
10% of our net proceeds will go to support a vision of a world where no one impacted by breast cancer feels uninformed or alone. We are committed to connecting people with trusted breast cancer information and a community of support. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for LBBC.org – our biggest donation ever!
Send me a message, let me know how you feel about October, tag/share on social media @AnaOnoIntimates #BCAEveryday
Other ways to support this month:
- Help us support the #BustAMove Virtual Fundraiser. With any purchase of our new BUST A MOVE Sports Bra for we will donate $10 to the listed organizations.
- Alas Wings: Empowering Latin Women about breast cancer awareness.
- Sisters Network Inc: Sisters Network® Inc. is committed to increasing local and national attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American community.
- Keep A Breast: The organization's mission is to reduce breast cancer risk and its impact globally through art, education, prevention, and action.
- Young Survival Coalition: (YSC) strengthens the community, addresses the unique needs, amplifies the voice and improves the quality of life of young adults affected by breast cancer, locally, nationally and internationally.
- Check out the NEW Natrelle Inspires Bra. For each bra purchased, one is donated to newly diagnosed patient. #buyonegiveone
- Donate to Pink Warrior Advocates to fund post-surgery recovery bras for patients in financial need. Every $20 donation provides a bra to a woman in need.
- What is Pink Washing? Why is it awful? Follow along with @TheBreasties as they talk about how to combat it and support the community better (without drowning in this month’s tsunami of pink).
