Our friends over at The Optical Vision Site wrote a post about breast cancer awareness and we would love to support the cause by sharing the article with you. The article features great companies in the optical industry who support breast cancer research by incorporating Think Pink items in their product lines. Read on to see the list.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and many eyecare professionals support the cause. Supporting the Pink cause can help you compete against online retailers, do social good, feel good, and give back. We thought we would share these breast cancer stats from Breast Cancer.org as well as a few eyewear companies that also support breast cancer research.
- About 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
- In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 57,650 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
- About 2,140 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in men in 2011. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.
Hilco has donated over $26,000 to the cause over the last several years. This specialty item can be displayed year round.
Hilco’s Gives Back to Breast Cancer Foundation
J.F. Rey made up only 200 of these lacy Pink Frames in order to raise $70,000 to contribute to breast cancer. I tried them on, they are fabulous!
- Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. Just under 30% of cancers in women are breast cancers
Vera Bradley is known for her contribution to breast cancer awareness, and The McGee Group contributes to her foundation with proceeds from every Vera Bradley eyewear sale. Vera Bradley frames are available all year long.
Style Lillian in Priscilla
- A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it.
For the last several years, WileyX has contributed to Breast Cancer through the sales of their specially made frame Lacy.
Wiley X Style Lacy
- About 5-10% of breast cancers can be linked to gene mutations (abnormal changes) inherited from one’s mother or father. Mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common. Women with these mutations have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer during their lifetime, and they are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age (before menopause). An increased ovarian cancer risk is also associated with these genetic mutations.
ClearVision Optical has been supporting Susan Komen For the Cure through the BCBG eyewear collection for the past 4 years. These are limited edition.
- In men, about 1 in 10 breast cancers are believed to be due to BRCA2 mutations, and even fewer cases to BRCA1 mutations.
- About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.
- The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older).
Breast cancer awareness does not only have to be in October, you can support the cause all year round. We recommend you make a special section of pink with signage to show your support. Some great window display idea from Interflora.
blog.interflora.co.uk
Altair’s BEBE eyewear has come out with their first frame dedicated to the cause. More information here. Oakley has also been supporting the cause with their Young Survival Coalition Frame . You can even buy safety glasses that give back to breast cancer. There is even a website devoted to Pink Eyewear.
We also love how Vizio Optic is promoting their Think Pink Campaign with J.F. Rey. Their press release reads:
Boston, MA, September 14, 2012 – Vizio Optic, a global award-winning designer eyeglasses shop and online eyewear retailer, has announced that a special new from from J.F. Rey Eyewear in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness will be available for purchase through its store this fall.
The French brand has created a special frame to unveil on October 5 in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at a charity event’s Glam-A-Thon “Lipstick Lounge.” This pair of J.F. Rey eyeglasses comes in the cause’s signature pink color with a feminine oval-shaped silhouette. The frame itself is made of metal and acetate, with laser-cut ribbon designs patterned throughout the rims and arms, backed by a thin veil of metal mesh. Its arms are capped with a complementary blue.
“We are honored to share this special frame in promotion of Breast Cancer Awareness with our customers and are proud to promote such a worthy cause,” said Galina Rabkin, owner of Vizio Optic.
You can read the full Press Release here
Let’s work together in spreading awareness for Breast Cancer and supporting the cause!
