Breast Cancer Awareness Month Can Trigger People Impacted By the Disease. These Women Want to Change That (Exclusive)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important time for raising awareness about the disease that affects around 1 in 8 women every year. As the global movement celebrates its 40th anniversary, survivors and advocates are highlighting the need for more meaningful support for those impacted by breast cancer.

Trish Michelle, a nine-year breast cancer survivor and founder of the advocacy group The Breasties, felt a shift in perspective after five years into her survivorship. She realized that Breast Cancer Awareness Month, often filled with pink ribbons and merchandise, needed to focus more on supporting the breast cancer community through research and direct assistance.

Together with fellow survivor Anj Oto, The Breasties launched Reclaim October to address the issue of “pinkwashing” – where companies use the pink ribbon symbol for marketing without actually contributing to research or supporting those affected by breast cancer. They aim to educate the public about the importance of transparent and accountable practices in fundraising efforts.

The initiative calls for companies to be more transparent about where proceeds from pink products go and to ensure that the money raised genuinely supports breast cancer research and community. The Breasties emphasize the need for increased funding towards metastatic or stage 4 breast cancer, as well as greater awareness about the unique challenges faced by younger individuals, people of color, and men affected by the disease.

An important aspect of Reclaim October is creating a sense of community for those impacted by breast and gynecological cancers. The Breasties offer a supportive space for survivors, previvors, and caretakers to come together, share experiences, and raise awareness about the diverse needs within the breast cancer community.

Through events like Camp Breastie, The Breasties provide opportunities for hundreds of people affected by breast cancer to connect and support each other. The focus is on ensuring that donations received by The Breasties and Reclaim October directly benefit those with metastatic breast cancer, with all proceeds going to the Magee-Women’s Research Institute for stage 4 cancer research.

Trish Michelle and Anj Oto encourage individuals to engage with breast cancer awareness efforts in a more meaningful way. Instead of simply purchasing pink merchandise, they advocate for supporting foundations and organizations that prioritize supporting patients and funding vital research. With only a small percentage of research dollars dedicated to metastatic breast cancer, there is a clear need for increased awareness and tangible support for those facing this challenging diagnosis.

Reclaim October and The Breasties are at the forefront of advocating for a more transparent and impactful approach to breast cancer awareness and support. By empowering survivors, educating the public, and fostering a sense of community, they are driving positive change in how we address and respond to the needs of those impacted by breast cancer.