Shopping in the Pink: Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month

When you get the chance to shop and support a great cause at the same time, there's no reason why we should not all take advantage of the opportunity — when we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October.

Here are some ways to think pink and get a jump-start with your holiday shopping list:

— Check out Key To The Cure.

The annual charity shopping event takes place Oct. 15 to 18 at all Saks stores nationwide, all Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and through saks.com. Saks will donate 2 percent of sales up to $250,000 from the shopping weekend to local and national women's cancer organizations and research centers. They are also selling a limited edition T-shirt by Michael Kors.

— The Lisa for LOFT limited-edition bracelet. Already a favorite of celebrities including Taylor Swift, Emmanuelle Chriqui of "Entourage," "Gossip Girl"'s Kelly Rutherford and Audrina Patridge of "The Hills," the bracelet benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in LOFT stores nationwide as well as www.loftonline.com. The bracelet is a great deal for $24.50, of which $5 of the proceeds from each bracelet sold will be donated directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation — a charity dedicated to providing critical funding for research at medical centers worldwide and increasing public awareness about good breast health in order to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer.

— The "Give Hope" collection at White House/Black Market this month. Net proceeds up to $200,000 will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer. Before you buy that dark denim jean this fall, check out the "Give Hope" ones at (www.whitehouseblackmarket.com).

— Take advantage of some great deals offered through the Estee Lauder companies. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research. The Foundation supports scientists at top universities and academic medical centers worldwide conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research that will lead to prevention and a cure in our lifetime.

A minimum of 85 cents of each dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. In October 2008, $34.5 million was awarded to 166 scientists across the United States and in Australia, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East and throughout Europe. For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.

— Bobbi Brown is an Estee Lauder company that is "thinking pink" this month by offering a limited edition lip set (www.Bobbibrown.com). Other companies include: Bumble and bumble (www.bumbleandbumble.com) with their classic hairspray; Clinique with their lip gloss on a key chain — one of my favorite ideas because you can always find this one in your purse! (www.clinique.com); Jo Malone's Red Roses scent (jomalone.com); and Elizabeth Hurley's handpicked lip set (www.esteelauder.com). Even the guys can get in on the BCA deals with Sean John fragrance specials (www.seanjohn-iamking.com).

— Avon is another beauty company who contributes heavily to breast cancer research. Search its website (www.avon.com) for all kinds of interesting products. The Marimekko floral tote for $10 is a great deal, and 100 percent of the net profits will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

— Wacoal, the intimate apparel company, is so passionate about finding a cure for breast cancer that they have diligently fought alongside Susan G. Komen for the Cure for the last 10 years in an effort to knock out breast cancer one bra at a time. Over the past decade, Wacoal's commitment to Susan G. Komen for the Cure has made way for their landmark initiatives, such as the Awareness bra, Fi(GH)t for the Cure and Support the Girls, sweeping the nation to educate hundreds of thousands of women about the importance of bra fit, foundation and breast health. These pioneering programs built a national community of women helping and empowering women, proudly raising over $2 million for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The Wacoal partnership started with just one bra — the Awareness bra — and expanded into a nationwide event series with over 8,700 Fit for the Cure events to date. More than 435,000 women across 718 cities in all 50 states proved that doing something so simple can help so many. For every woman who receives a complimentary fitting from a trained Wacoal Fit Consultant during one of the events, Wacoal donates $2 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and another $2 for every Wacoal item purchased. Additionally, the Support the Girls program, which coincides with breast cancer awareness month, furthers Wacoal and Susan G. Komen for the Cure's crusade by donating $2 for every bra purchased from popular Embrace Lace and Awareness collections during October.

— To coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Elemis will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales of their new "Essential Beauty Secrets" kit to Breast Cancer Care, an organization that provides information, support and campaigns for improved standards of care. The collection contains four products, including the Limited Edition Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment Neck and Bust "boob tube." This kit also contains a 5-Step Breast Check guide to make sure you regularly monitor yourself for any abnormal changes. Available at Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman and www.TimetoSpa.com.

— This year, you'll love the philosophy Shower for the Cure gel — a creamy all-in-one formula that can be used as a shampoo, shower gel or bubble bath. One hundred percent of philosophy's net proceeds from the sale of shower for the cure will be donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. The scent and poem on the pink ribbon shower gel was inspired by the charity event, one of Hollywood's most beloved occasions that is held every spring and chaired by Rita Wilson and Kate Capshaw. Available on www.philosophy.com for $20.

— Also look for philosophy's "She Colors My Day" bubble-gum scented bubble bath created to honor all women, while giving back to a very worthwhile cause with 100 percent of philosophy's net proceeds going to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund to support the early detection of women's cancers. Find it on www.philosophy.com for $20.

— If you really want to have some fun, you'll love the "Boob Tube" bust firmer and neck firmer sold at mamamio.com. This is another favorite of Hollywood celebrities like Jessica Alba and Sarah Michelle Gellar. And in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mama Mio is donating $1 per Boob Tube sold to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation during the month of October.

— Support breast cancer research by painting your nails pink! Try OPI Nail Lacquer in Pink of Hearts. OPI will donate $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.