Thirteen Ways You Can Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Rare to find a person these days who doesn’t at least indirectly know someone who has battled breast cancer.

Your correspondent’s mom had it. Beat it, thankfully. But as anyone affected by it can tell you, it’s a scary experience for everyone involved.

Thus, your pals here at InsideHook are big fans of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and decided to interrupt your regular lifestyle programming today to offer up 13 easy ways you can contribute to the cause.

Ways, it bears noting, that include snazzy pocket squares, floral arrangements for your sweetheart and even the odd night of (charitable!) drinking and carousing.

So read on and make like a good bra — by showing some support.

Nota bene: Most of the initiatives below support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which received a full four-star rating from Charity Navigator (“Your guide to intelligent giving”). Remember: not all charities are created equal. In fact, some are total and complete sleazebags. Always look ‘em up before you pledge.

For those who want to celebrate survivors while celebrating the outdoors …

Making Strides
The Bay Area’s premier (read: most fun/intoxicated) fundraising event for breast cancer is aptly called Breast Fest, and if you listened to us, you checked it out — in July. For the moment, you’d do well to sign up for Making Strides. You’re going to go for a hike this month — why not do it in Golden Gate Park (lovely) and raise some cash for a great cause while you’re at it? Oct. 22

For your shining punim (and breast pocket) …

LAB SERIES x Michael Bastian
The men’s skincare purveyor has two products that will donate proceeds to breast cancer research through the end of the year: first, their Age Rescue+ Face Lotion, and second, a limited-edition pocket square with menswear pioneer Michael Bastian, which can be had for $85 by using the code PINKSQ at checkout on any LAB SERIES purchase.

For your better half …

Angela Roi Sunday Mini Bag
Something for a special lady in your life from ethical luxury brand Angela Roi. Fifty percent of sales of their exclusive ‘Sunday Mini in Pink’ bag will be donated to their partner charity organization, Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

For smelling good and impressing people …

Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne
Honeycomb base, citrus top notes and an autumn-friendly floral foundation built on a blend of seven different varieties of rose. It’s an all-day scent that pairs well with a stiff breeze, a chunky tweed blazer and the ability to respond “20% of the profits from the bottle benefited the Breast Cancer Research Foundation” when she asks you what that dashing scent is.

For the lady who raised ya’ …

Venus et Fleur Boxes 
Does your lady love roses? The Eternity BCA Pink Collection from bespoke rose atelier Venus et Fleur is a maintenance-free arrangement that lasts for a full year (no need to water). Twenty percent of all proceeds for the month of October will be donated to City of Hope Cancer Treatment and Research Center. Choose from 20 shades and three sizes.

For raising a glass to ending cancer …

Bitter Truth Pink Gin
What better bottle to accompany a toast of “Seriously: f*ck cancer” than the one kicking $2 form every unit sold this month to cancer research? None. So get one.

For knowing when all these offers expire and planning accordingly …

1face
Can a watch change the world? That’s the hope of 1Face, who use the sales of their design-forward touchscreen watches to combat some of the world’s most devastating problems, from hunger to lack of clean water to cancer. For each of their pink Breast Cancer watches sold — currently a steal at $19 — they will fund a mammogram for one woman.

For people who love cars but hate cancer …

The Cure Collection
Fully funded on Indiegogo and now available for preorder, the Cure Collection features automotive art and apparel for a good cause. The designer lost his mother to breast cancer, and chose to honor her struggle by donating 20% of all proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Fund, for October and forever.

For the boardroom (or the ballroom) …

Cufflinks
Can’t go wrong with a pink ribbon on your lapel. But you can go even right-er by pairing it with matching cufflinks that kick 25% of all sales to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

For the guy whose job definitely doesn’t involve boardrooms …

Keep a Breast Coach Jacket
Snowsports apparel brand 686 teams up with Keep a Breast on a fashion-forward coach jackets for fall. Five bucks from each unit sold directly benefit Keep a Breast; 100% of the pink-on-camo color scheme from each unit sold directly benefits the wearer’s ranking on the swag index.

For people looking to protect this house but also the women in their lives …

Under Armour
Featuring hats, headbands, activewear and more, Under Armour’s Power in Pink collection is perfect for anyone in your life who wants to join forces and raise awareness about breast cancer while getting fit. It’s mostly women’s gear, but they have some sharp shorts, polos and tees for men as well. The brand is donating $10 million to Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center to benefit breast health research and education.

For anyone who needs an excuse to go to Hawaii …

Elite Travel x Play for P.I.N.K.
A collaboration between Bloomberg, Estee Lauder and Wilson, Play for P.I.N.K. sponsors athletic competitions all over the country benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (full calendar of events here). Of note: Elite Travel’s Play for P.I.N.K. package at Napili Kai Golf and Beach Resort.

For you friend who has A) cancer and B) a sense of humor …

Thortful cards
If you’ve ever known someone living with cancer, you know that even the most supportive words often fall short. Enter Thortful, who sell greeting cards designed by independent creatives with a sensitive and supportive voice that doesn’t come off as brusque or cliche. One hundred percent of October’s proceeds will be donated to the charity Breast Cancer Haven.