Breast Cancer Awareness Month was celebrated throughout October. This month brings awareness to the overall topic of breast cancer and the importance of early detection. It encourages and reminds women to receive regular examinations as a habit to improve cancer outcomes and survival rates. People all over the world wear the color pink throughout this month as a reminder to support those affected by breast cancer. 

Our very own Red Cross club here at San Dimas High School already has major plans for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The club was planning on reaching out to the City of Hope and potentially planning a charity event with them. They were also thinking of partnering with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The members wanted to host an event after school selling lemonade as a way to raise money. The Red Cross club president Bryce Yamate stated, “We hope to spread awareness on the overall topic of breast cancer. We also hope to open up the eyes of people to see how breast cancer can affect someone and their way of life.”

The Red Cross club planned to advertise its events through various social media accounts and announcements. Club treasurer Alise Vega stated, “Cancer can happen to anyone, and it’s important to be aware of the possible outcomes that come from cancer. This is why it is important to know when to get checked.” 

Many organizations host numerous events and fundraisers to raise awareness and money. Raising money allows groundbreaking research to be conducted, which greatly impacts all women in this world. With the funds gathered, critical mammograms are provided, educational resources are provided, and adequate information and support is supplied for women battling cancer.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation is the main source of knowledge for breast cancer. This page offers access to countless amounts of information that is needed by all women. You can learn about early detection, treatment, the different stages, risk factors, etc. The page offers information on the most asked questions asked by women, even questions as basic as “What is Breast Cancer.” The thoughts and input of breast cancer survivors are stated on the page as well.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation offers another remarkable resource for women battling cancer, they are called HOPE kits. These kits are filled with comforting items for patients undergoing cancer treatments. Some of the items include fuzzy socks, a tumbler, a beauty product, inspirational bracelets, educational resources, etc. Patients have let this organization know of items that gave them motivation throughout their journey of treatment and they applied this information to create the HOPE kits.

Many people have been affected by breast cancer. Whether it was a personal experience or one through a family member/loved one. In 2022 about 2.3 women in the world were diagnosed with breast cancer and 670,000 of them died. Every 14 seconds someone throughout the world is diagnosed with breast cancer. It is important to understand what breast cancer is and how important it is that one is regularly getting checked, therefore the chances of obtaining this disease decrease substantially.

“Breast cancer death rates declined 42% from 1989 to 2021 among women. The progress is attributed to improvements in early detection and treatments.”