If it's October, the color pink will be everywhere – from spatulas at Target to KitchenAid mixers at Williams-Sonoma.
Every year, more and more companies roll out products to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
Certainly the efforts are needed.
Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. It is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
ACS predicts about 182,460 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2008. About 40,480 women will die from the disease this year.
The good news? Right now there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in our country.
Celebrities often get involved, including survivors like musician Melissa Etheridge, who performed this week at the Hard Rock Café in Hollywood to kick off the chain's Pinktober campaign.
And Spice Girl Mel B has designed a T-shirt – in conjunction with Kraft Foods. It costs $24.99 at www.poseforthecure.org.
Many of the research organizations that receive funds from the October promotions are well known, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation.
You can also donate or shop locally at the Discovery Shop of the American Cancer Society in Sacramento (2744 Marconi Ave.). It does wonderful work.
With so many pink products to pick from, it's easy to get caught up in the philanthropy of it all.
Here are some fashion- and beauty-related products to consider.
FFANY ON QVC
One of the most widely anticipated TV shows during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is shopping channel QVC's "FFANY Shoes on Sale."The 15th annual show airs from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15 (Channel 9 on Comcast).
Here's how it works: QVC partners with the Fashion Footwear Association of New York for a televised charitable shoe sale to benefit breast cancer research and education.
Over the years, more than $28 million has been raised and more than 1 million pairs of shoes sold.
This year, viewers can shop 100,000 pairs from more than 98 brands. Every pair will be offered at half the manufacturer's retail price.
Some of the labels include Nine West, Via Spiga, Coach, Max Studio, Michael by Michael Kors, UGG Australia and Etienne Aigner.
Eight different institutions will receive funds from the shoe sale. It's three hours of shoe shopping in the comfort of your home.
– Leigh Grogan
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