Businesses are Thinking Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Think pink? It might be because it’s that time of year. Pink chocolate. Pink bagels. Pink hair weaves. Pink sheets. Pink stilettos. And, of course, a boatload of pink ribbons—all in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Many businesses are in on the fight for the cure. The  offers a special display of pink items such as shoe laces, napkins, plates, wine glasses, wine stoppers, market baskets, insulated cups, pins, aprons and shoe-shaped wine bottle holders. Prices range from $1.99 to $28.99.  will also have some special things happening in October.

A Maryland-based energy company, Sharp Energy Inc., introduced a pink delivery truck. But that’s not all they deliver: Their customers also get information on breast cancer.

Some Macy’s and Panera Bread locations are getting in on the pink ribbon action. Macy’s has chocolates and stuffed animals, and Panera is baking pink ribbon bagels (plus pink cream cheese) during October, both to benefit breast cancer awareness.

New York restaurant owners are thinking pink and serving it up, too. “Be an epiCUREan” is a campaign to help raise money. Participating restaurants will identify a “pink” item on their menus and whenever that item is ordered, the breast cancer piggy bank gets money (through October). Washington, DC, is having a similar dining program called Take a Bite out of Breast Cancer.

NASCAR wasn’t going to take a backseat to joining the cause. NASCAR painted a pace car pink and put a pink ribbon on it. They vowed to donate money for every lap the pace car had to take on the track. In September, one of the races was rained out and the laps of the pace car piled up.

“We are thrilled when a company decides to paint its building pink or when they allow women to take time off work for a mammogram or encourage them to get more information about breast cancer,” said Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer for the American Cancer Society.

“I want women to know the facts so we can end this once and for all,” she said. Music lost her mother to breast cancer and said early detection may have saved her.

Hanes® has been a long-time partner with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and added a comfort package on Facebook this year. It’s a customizable kit including a T-shirt meant to be given as a gift. Hanes will give a portion of profits to the cause. 

“Comfort is more than just physical; it’s emotional, too,” said Sidney Falken, chief branding officer of Hanes. “We are proud to be partners with NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation) to help raise awareness of breast cancer and support a cause the Hanes consumer cares so deeply about.”

Land O’Lakes Purina Feed out of Pennsylvania put together 50 events aimed at educating women living in rural areas about breast cancer. They kicked off their Pink 50 with a Dash for Hope in Grantville, PA, at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Certain lines of animal food packages were turned pink for the season. “We wanted to put emphasis on women taking care of themselves,” said Anita Hood, equine specialist with the company.

Estée Lauder continues to give support to the cause. “Together we are stronger. Together we can do more. Together we can find a cure,” Evelyn Lauder has said.

Do you know of other businesses doing something to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month?