The Next Generation

In order for early detection to continue to save lives, skilled healthcare practitioners are needed to conduct clinical breast exams, mammograms and MRIs. Organize a medical careers night for high school students and undecided college students. Have representatives from a wide variety of medical fields, but place a special focus on diagnostic imaging and breast health. Utilize a Deluxe Decoration Pack to give a breast cancer awareness theme to your event location. Hand out personalized Silhouette Pens so everyone remembers the name of your organization.

Coping Made Easier

Forty years ago, a program called Reach To Recovery became a part of the American Cancer Society. Throughout the decades, volunteers have offered heartfelt understanding, support and hope because they themselves were survivors of breast cancer. The program is still going strong. To locate the Reach To Recovery in your area, to volunteer or to make a donation, call 1-800-ACS-2345. For more information, check the ACS Web site at www.cancer.org.

Crafty Idea

At your next awareness table, make an impact with an interesting visual. First research the average size of tumors found by getting regular mammograms compared to tumors found by regular breast self-exams, occasional self-exams, etc. Diagrams of this are available on many Web sites. Print out an example and take it with you to a craft store so you can buy beads whose sizes match the tumor sizes. Create sets to distribute by stringing beads together. Also hand out “Get The Facts About Breast Health” Slideguides and Women’s Breast Care Diaries so recipients know the recommended screening schedule.

In The Pink

Ask employees to wear pink on Wednesdays in October. Build a chart that lists each employee and has a column for each week. Place an Embroidered Pink Ribbon on the appropriate spot when someone dons pink. Arrange for your company/facility to donate a set amount to breast cancer research for each ribbon on the chart. Give a “Every Woman Counts” Full-Color Travel Tumbler to the employees who participate on all four Wednesdays.

Squash Breast Cancer

Since Halloween occurs during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, combine the two! Sponsor a pumpkin-decorating contest well in advance of the spooky holiday. In announcements about the contest, explain that the entries need to relate to breast cancer in subject matter or color. Use Silicone Wristband Keychains to thank everyone who participates. Award a Two-Tone Drawstring Backpack to the best pumpkin decorators. Display these creations throughout your building in the weeks leading up to Halloween.

Go Green And Pink

Take advantage of technology to get everyone’s mind on breast cancer and save some paper! Design a quiz about the topic. The Women & Breast Health Action Handbook contains a lot of information that would be helpful. E-mail the quiz to everyone in your organization. Have them type in their responses and e-mail the quiz back to you. Send out the correct answers by e-mail, too. Make the handbooks available for those who want to learn more. Give Recycled Totes to those with the highest quiz scores.

Layers Of Support

Set up a system for rewarding people who donate to your NBCAM fundraiser. For a $5 donation, offer a “Join The Fight” Pink Awareness Bracelet and a “Strength, Hope, Faith, Courage” Sticky Pad . For a $10 donation, offer the Bracelet, Sticky Pad and a Vinyl Pouch Gift Set. For a $20 donation, offer the Bracelet, Sticky Pad, Gift Set and Baseball Cap (see page11). Cut pictures of these items from our catalog. Using the pictures, create a flyer that explains the fundraiser. Make color copies and distribute.