Breast Cancer Awareness Month is less than two weeks away. What can you do to make it meaningful? Sure, you can pin a pink ribbon on your lapel, or share Instagram memes with breast cancer statistics. But do you honestly know anyone who isn’t ‘aware’ of breast cancer?
We have enough breast cancer awareness. We need action.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Take Action!
Here are some meaningful actions you can take during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2019.
- As the saying goes, you can’t help others if you don’t help yourself. So make sure you’re up to date on breast cancer screening mammograms and assess your risk for the disease.
- Donate to a local chemotherapy center or breast cancer organization. You don’t have to donate money – you can give many (lightly-used) household goods – from clothes to electronics. Many cancer organizations accept vehicles as a tax-deductible donation. You can donate your time by volunteering. There are so many ways you can help out and take meaningful action during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Just ask.
- Lend an ear. Many breast cancer patients feel pressured by society to ‘be strong’ and ‘stay positive’ – don’t add to that by telling them ‘you’re a warrior, a survivor’. If you know someone affected by breast cancer – sometimes the best thing you can do is just listen.
- Help local breast cancer patients in any way that you can. Don’t ask what they need – everyone else is doing that. Tell them you’re available to run errands, clean the house, or babysit. Be specific and take the burden off them so they don’t feel like they’re asking you a favor.
This October, what actions will you take to make Breast Cancer Awareness Month meaningful?