Breast cancer organizations have done a great job of making the general public aware of the issues surrounding breast cancer. Now, every October (breast cancer awareness month), a plethora of pink products present themselves to support a cure. From tea, to t-shirts, these products will not just help you look and feel good, but do good. At a recent “pink products” expo, my eyes immediately focused on the display from Advantage Bridal, a table full of pretty, girly, glittery things. Their online store features tons of items for the bride, her bridal party and wedding receptions, but it also features a large selection of pink products to support breast cancer issues.
Creator Sandy Keller is a breast cancer survivor, who had to endure a botched breast reconstruction. She told me that a whopping 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are not given all of their options for reconstruction, and, in fact, many are never offered or even told about reconstruction options by their doctor. So she decided to help women who either didn’t know they had that reconstruction option, or didn’t how to access the proper resources to make it happen (FYI: insurance pays for breast reconstruction). Along with some other survivors, she launched the Breastoration Foundation in New Orleans and a non-profit called “2B Restored” to provide support to women who need breast reconstruction.
Which brings me back to Advantage Bridal. If you purchase items from this company, a percentage of the proceeds will go toward these causes. The Advantage Bridal pink products including breast cancer t-shirts an all sorts of cute makeup bags, slippers, hats, and even doggie apparel. The quality is good, the prices, reasonable, and the shopping, user-friendly. Here are some of my favorites (and these make great holiday gift suggestions, too)”
Who doesn’t want to “Fight Like a Girl?” While the sentiment is directed to those fighting against breast cancer, the saying just looks cute, and tough, on anyone! $36.00 brings you this tank top full of glittery white rhinestones and tiny pink ones surrounding the now iconic, breast cancer pink ribbon. This thank is great if you’re participating in a fund-raising walk, or just for casual wear, and get attention for breast cancer awareness, or just to get attention!!! This tank is soft, 100% cotton make in Thailand. If tank tops (great for layering) don’t thrill you, Advantage Bridal offers more than a dozen different sizes and types of shirt with this saying, and other sayings that support breast cancer awareness and there is a “Fight Like A Girl” baseball cap, too!
…Speaking of which, baseball caps are an ideal way to help shield your face from the sun’s damaging rays (but please do use SPF on a daily basis, too). Wearing a Breast Awareness Cap shows the world that you support those who have breast cancer, have survived breast cancer, or are “fighting like a girl” to beat your own bout with breast cancer. The caps come in various colors like pink (or course), blue and violet, with adjustable back tabs to fit any head size. The large, rhinestone breast cancer symbol glitters in the sun. Wear one to your next “big game” or just when you’re out and about, to show you care, and potentially, help to save your skin from premature aging. Advantage Bridal has visors and floppy hats as well, with a variety of different breast cancer awareness sayings (e.g. “Warrior,” and “Save The Ta Tas”). $14.95 gets you a basic hat; $17.95 a glittery one (there are quantity discounts available), and you can even order yours with your name in pink crystals or your own logo, for a little more.
I can’t think of a single woman who doesn’t love tote bags. You can never have enough of them. The embroidered, quilted, black tote bag with pink trims from Advantage Bridal is $35.95 (there’s a pink rhinestone ribbon version, too). This one is soft microfiber (washable, thank you) with a small, zippered, interior pouch, and a secure, snap closure. It’s big enough to hold your groceries, stuff for the gym, or take it to the beach, use it as a baby bag, or just make a fashion statement while showing you support breast cancer causes. I love it for travel, too, because it is sturdy but lightweight. It also packs flat when you don’t need it. It’s 15″ wide by 14″ tall and 6.5″ deep.
If you are looking for a luxe gift, or something special for yourself, $49.95 nets you a 100% viscose shawl that is soft and yet, wards off the chill of overly air-conditioned rooms. The perfect evening accessory, this bright pink fringed shawl features a rhinestone “Believe” in script letters, plus a heart and breast cancer ribbon logo in pink and white crystals. Show your support, or just show that you have good taste! You can also double up the shawl and wear it as a chill-chasing scarf around your neck or waist. Use it as a head wrap, too!
These are just a few of the pretty and powerful things you can order from Advantage Bridal. They also have Ovarian Cancer apparel and gifts (Ovarian Cancer awareness month just passed, in September). You can order Advantage Bridal’s pink products online. Of course, if you are a bride, Advantage Bridal also has more than 31,000 affordable and attractive items to make your wedding special, from cake toppers, to wedding shoes!
According to Web MD, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, after skin cancer. It’s the second-leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. It is also the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 35 to 54. Approximately 1 in almost every 8 women (13.4%) will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. While this sounds frightening, research shows that the mortality rate could decrease by 30% if all women age 50 and older who need a mammogram had one. The majority of breast cancer cases occur when there is no direct family history of the disease, and the risk for developing breast cancer increases as a woman ages.
Here are some of the Symptoms of Breast Cancer (if you have any of these, please: go see a doctor, immediately. The symptoms of breast cancer include:
Lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle.
A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea.
A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast.
A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple.
A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed).
Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple.
A change in shape or position of the nipple
An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.
A marble-like hardened area under the skin.
