As we approach National Breast Cancer Awareness month (also known as October), the opportunity presents itself for consumers to support an excellent cause through some of their favourite brands. A number of companies support the NBCF and other breast cancer charities, some with limited-edition products and others with ongoing partnerships.
are one such brand going down the limited-edition product path. They are launching the Gift of Hope” Cocoa Butter Soap, of which 100 per cent of profits are supporting Pink Hope, an organisation under the auspice of the NBCF. For Urban Rituelle, enhancing the lives of women goes far beyond creating beautiful bath and body products. The brand is dedicated to giving back, and embraces the connection to the community that this brings,” says Leanne Haining, creative director of Urban Rituelle.
Pink Hope is the only Australian community assisting women and their families who are at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer,” explains Karen Haining, brand manager for Urban Rituelle. For this group of around 120,000 women, their chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer dramatically increases and tragically is often at a much younger age.”
Estée Lauder Companies has had an ongoing commitment to breast cancer research, being a partner of the NBCF since the foundation’s conception in 1994. Under the company’s brand umbrella, , , Aveda and all release limited-edition products to raise funds. For example, Clinique this year is releasing a special edition of the popular Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (of which $20 will be donation to the Foundation) and a Mini Long Last Gloss Wear SPF 15, which features three glosses on a Clinique key chain (of which $5 will be donated). Meanwhile, Aveda is donating US$4 for every Hand Relief for Breast Cancer Awareness product sold.
Evelyn Lauder started the Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness campaign 19 years ago to raise awareness about the importance of breast health and early detection, and to raise funds for research. Today our goal is much the same,” says Terry Little, managing director Estée Lauder Companies Australia. Little explains that Estée Lauder’s commitment to the cause goes beyond making monetary contributions.
We also work with other groups such as Cancer Australia and Breast Cancer Network Australia who support women diagnosed with breast cancer. We have recently funded the production of a specialist pilates exercise DVD for woman who have had surgery for breast cancer. The DVD will soon be available free of charge through Breast Cancer Network Australia and their My Care Kits,” Little says.
Another brand with an ongoing commitment to the cause is Cedel, which is a silver partner of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The partnership sees the brand donate $25,000 cash annually to the Foundation, made possible by sales from their range of dry shampoo, hairsprays and hair lacquer. The brand also donates more than 120,000 pink Cedel hairspray cans in support of the NBCF’s official events.
is also strongly affiliated with supporting the cause, with their Pink range raising funds for the NBCF and The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, the brand’s donations are expected to reach $1 million.
Sharon Parker, marketing director personal care for Unilever Australia and New Zealand says Dove is not just about raising funds, but more importantly raising awareness. Everyone knows of someone who will have experienced breast cancer at some point in their life and because of this we’ve been committed to supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation through our Dove Pink range since 2006,” Parker says.
Foltene is supporting breast cancer sufferers in another way entirely. The brand’s Eyelash & Brow Treatment can be used for women who have undergone chemo or radiotherapy to assist in lash and brow regrowth. The formula uses Trigloxyl, a patented mixture of polysaccharides, to ensure hair follicles get the best nutrients with which to re-grow full, thick and strong lashes and brows. It also comes with a wand applicator to make applying the product to even the smallest hairs easier.
The one thing these brands all have in common is a commitment to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer and research into finding a cure. Mortality rates are dropping because woman are more aware of breast cancer, are detecting it earlier and doing something about it…. but there is still a long way to go,” says Little. We need to continue working with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to ensure funding is available for research into prevention and a cure for breast cancer.”
Click here to see our 2011 breast cancer awareness product listing.