The world gets drenched in pink every October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While raising awareness was important 20 years ago, the message today feels distorted and overshadowed by marketing campaigns that should really be focused on research and resources to extend our lives as cancer patients. The reality is this: breast cancer continues to kill, and despite the efforts, awareness alone isn’t saving lives. So let’s talk about ways to make an impact during breast cancer awareness month

7 Ways to Impact the Breast Cancer Community Beyond Spreading Awareness

Why Action During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) — the only kind of breast cancer that kills — receives a tiny fraction of funding. Recurrences are relentless, and awareness doesn’t provide the necessary resources, policies, or support for those battling MBC. We need more than awareness. We need action, not endless campaigns focused on awareness and pink paraphernalia.

As you are flooded with pink during the month of October, I urge you to stop and educate yourself before you spend your money on items and campaigns that solely focus on awareness. At this point, the world knows about breast cancer and its deadly effects. What they don’t know is that most of the Pinktober campaigns don’t actually fund Metastatic Breast Cancer research, or impact breast cancer patients in terms of resources, grants and treatment. As a young breast cancer thriver, I am passionate about educating and empowering each of you with the information and tools you need to make an impact beyond awareness this October. Keep reading for 5 ways you can impact the breast cancer community this month and throughout the year. 

1. Make a Direct Financial Contribution

Many campaigns donate only a small fraction of sales to breast cancer causes — often to “awareness” efforts. Instead of purchasing $20 of pink merchandise where only $1 goes to a cause, donate the entire $20 to organizations making real change. If you want to buy something pink for a good cause, ensure at least 10% of the sale is going to charity. Not all charities are created equal. Use Charity Navigator to vet nonprofits. Some of the best ones include:

• AiRS Foundation: Provides resources and grants to underserved patients who want to get reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy.
• Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer (TBCC): Empowers, educates & uplifts young women aged 21–40 with breast cancer through financial and mental health support. 
• Metavivor: 100% of funds raised go directly to Metastatic Breast Cancer research.
• Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) : Funds promising breast cancer research and supports year-round advocacy campaigns. 
• National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC): Is a coalition of advocates, scientists, and community stakeholders focused on ending breast cancer through research, clinical studies and advocacy efforts. 
• Young Survival Coalition (YSC): Provides support, resources & community for young women diagnosed with breast cancer ages 18-40.
• Living Beyond Breast Cancer: Directly focused on education, advocacy, wellness for those living with and beyond breast cancer. 
• Pink Warrior Angels (PWA): Delivers outreach, financial assistance, community engagement, and educational programming services that strengthen and empower the cancer community. 
• For the Breast of Us: Is a vibrant community dedicated to empowering women of color affected by breast cancer. They provide resources, support, and hope.

2. Support a cancer patient/thriver in need (financial, meals, transportation, supplies)

Cancer treatment is financially, physically, and emotionally draining. You can make a real impact by supporting a patient directly with meals, childcare, transportation, or supplies. Many recovery necessities, from specialized creams to wigs, aren’t covered by insurance. Your help can ease the burden for those in need.

3. Advocate for Policy Change

You can contribute to the breast cancer community without spending a dime. Use your voice to advocate for research, policy changes, and better healthcare support. Start locally by educating your community on vital topics like fertility preservation, mental health, and wellness for survivors.

For a broader impact, consider lobbying for policy change. Write to your state senator about legislation that mandates insurance coverage for fertility preservation for young adults diagnosed with cancer. Did you know that only a few states require this?

Alliance for Fertility Preservation

Protect Parenthood After Cancer

Metastatic Policy Advocacy

We also need your help to change the conversation related to the 113 people who will die of breast cancer each day. The majority of americans don’t know that metastatic breast cancer is the only kind of breast cancer that kills and yet less than 5% of research funding is focused on MBC. By educating and empowering people with these facts we can change the conversation and impact the decisions being made about research and treatment throughout the country.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act is currently working towards a vote, and we need your support! Passage of this legislation would waive the 24-month waiting period for Medicare and the 5-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for eligible individuals with metastatic breast cancer. During this time period of waiting, many MBC patients struggle to pay for care or delay care, which results in adverse outcomes and potentially death. Learn more and contact your legislator to ask for support on this bill.

Breast Cancer Advocacy Opportunities

• Stage IV Stampede
• Metavivor Legislative Advocacy Campaign
• NBCC Advocacy and Policy Work
• American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
• Young Survival Coalition Advocacy Opportunities 
• Living Beyond Breast Cancer Young Advocates Program
• The Breast Cancer Deadline Advocacy Campaign
• Year Round Advocacy with BCRF

4. Volunteer Your Time or Expertise

As the former leader of my local YSC Support Group, NC State Lead, and a long-term LBBC Young advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how valuable it is when professionals share their time & expertise with our community. Whether you’re a dietitian, fitness instructor, mental health expert, or specialize in intimacy after cancer, your expertise can help cancer thrivers navigate life during and after treatment.

Your time is one of the most valuable contributions you can make. Nonprofits rely heavily on volunteers to provide resources, support, and community to breast cancer patients and survivors. By volunteering, you give back and gain a deeper understanding of the breast cancer journey.

Reach out to the breast cancer non-profit of your choice and offer your time and skills.

5. Support Accessibility to Holistic Care

Holistic treatments like acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, and nutrition support have been proven to aid recovery, but they are often expensive and not covered by insurance. You can help by donating to organizations that provide free or reduced-cost holistic care for cancer patients. If you are a care provider you could consider grants or reduced pricing for breast cancer survivors. Educating your community about the benefits of holistic care in the cancer recovery process and advocating for its inclusion in insurance coverage can have a huge impact as well.

6. Mentor a Cancer Thriver in Career Development or Skill-Building

Navigating life after cancer can be daunting, especially when it comes to reentering the workforce or building new skills after treatment. Many survivors face gaps in their employment history, a need for career shifts, or challenges with confidence in professional settings.

You can make a lasting impact by offering mentorship in areas such as:

• Resume Writing & Job Search Assistance: Help thrivers craft resumes that highlight their strengths and guide them through modern job search strategies.
• Interview Prep & Professional Development: Offer mock interview sessions, networking advice, or career coaching to help survivors regain confidence.
• Skill-Building Workshops: If you have expertise in areas like digital marketing, coding, project management, or entrepreneurship, you could offer workshops or one-on-one training to help survivors develop new skills or launch their own businesses.
• LinkedIn Profile Building & Networking: Help survivors enhance their professional online presence and build connections in their industries.

Through mentorship and skill development, you empower breast cancer survivors to regain independence, build careers, and thrive beyond their diagnosis.

7. Amplify the Voices of Breast Cancer Survivors and Thrivers

The stories of those who have experienced breast cancer firsthand are vital in shaping public perception, influencing policy, and providing comfort and guidance to others going through similar experiences. You can help amplify these voices through word of mouth, newsletters and social media.

Personal stories humanize the statistics. They reveal the real struggles, triumphs, and diverse experiences of breast cancer patients, offering valuable insights that numbers alone can’t provide. By amplifying these voices, you help create a more empathetic and informed public, and you encourage more robust advocacy for research, resources, and patient-centered care.

Final Thoughts for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October should be a time for us to shift our focus from awareness to meaningful action to make an impact for the breast cancer community. Breast cancer isn’t just a month of pink ribbons and fundraisers. It’s a life-altering disease that demands attention, resources, and change all year round. Let’s move beyond awareness and work together to support those living with an facing this deadly disease.