If you’ve been on Facebook or Twitter lately (and don’t even try to tell me you haven’t been), then you’ve heard about the controversial decision made by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to defund Planned Parenthood. The Komen Foundation – the nation’s largest breast cancer charity – had a longstanding partnership with Planned Parenthood, providing funds for cancer screenings and education for low-income women.

Planned Parenthood reports that their grants from the Komen Foundation totaled about $680,000 last year and $580,000 the year before. Over the past five years, Planned Parenthood centers have performed over four million breast exams, and roughly 170,000 of those were made possible by Komen grants.

The loss of this funding under any circumstances would be devastating. Planned Parenthood provides reproductive and sexual healthcare, information and education to almost five million men, women and teenagers every year. One in five American women has visited a Planned Parenthood health center at least once in her life. And Planned Parenthood is the only reproductive and sexual health resource for thousands of low-income women and women who live in rural and under-served areas. Read More »

As we’ve been talking about, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, a national campaign to promote early detection, education and understanding. Every year companies launch a bevy of products that promise to donate a portion of the proceeds to the cause. Most women love to shop, but shopping for a cause? Even better.

Before you head for the nearest mall, get smart. Hundreds of companies use October to boost their image (not to mention their profits) by connecting themselves to a good cause. Just because an item is anointed with the sacred pink ribbon doesn’t make it clear where the money from this product is going.

If you really want to make a real difference in the fight against breast cancer, volunteering your time or contributing to a great, reputable charity is the way to go. But if you’re in the mood to splurge (or stock up on office supplies, paper towels, lip gloss and home furnishings) read the fine print on those pink product labels.

In the meantime, here’s a peak at nine awesome items from brands that donate a significant amount to breast cancer charities

Celebrity Tees by Bop Basics

Shopbob has partnered with Denise Richards, Hilary Duff, Sophia Bush, Nicky Hilton, Cindy Crawford and Jamie King to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month Tees. Each shirt has a unique design, with 50% of each sale going to Breast Cancer Network of Strength, an organization that provides emotional support to anyone affected by breast cancer. Its mission is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone. Read More »