Website: http://www.bcrfcure.org/
Where the money comes from: With help from individuals, as well as corporate partners such as Ann Taylor and the Estée Lauder Companies, more than $220 million has been raised since the BCRF's inception in 1993.
Where the money goes: It supports research that focuses on discovering new treatments, giving patients the right medicines, and assessing and minimizing risks in the hope of finding a cure and a method of prevention for breast cancer. The organization says that for each dollar donated, a minimum of 85 cents goes to research and awareness programs.
Fun fact: The BCRF is the only breast cancer organization with an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy.
Donate online.
Other ways to get involved:
- Get your game on at a sporting event organized by Play for P.I.N.K., where 100% of the proceeds go directly to the BCRF.
- Shop for jewelry, beauty products, fitness gear, and more through the Shop Pink catalog, which benefits the BCRF.
- Or fly Delta!
Gateway for Cancer Research Breast Cancer Charity
Website: http://www.gatewayforcancerresearch.org/breast_cancer_charity.cfm
Where the money comes from: Proceeds come from individual donations, as well as special fund-raising events.
Where the money goes: Gateway's Breast Cancer Charity funds research only, so no money is used for education, outreach, or awareness programs. Funding favors research that will immediately impact the lives of patients, rather than research with long-term prospects. It's also open to research that mixes traditional treatment methods with complementary medicines.
Fun fact: For every dollar donated, Gateway says 99 cents goes directly to research programs.
Donate online.
Other ways to get involved: Organize your own fund-raising event.
Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade
Website: http://www.avoncompany.com/women/avoncrusade/index.html
Where the money comes from: From 1992 to 2006, the Crusade raised more than $450 million. A major source of income is the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which raised roughly $150 million from 2003 to 2006.
Where the money goes: In 2007, the Avon Foundation awarded more than $43 million in grants to organizations and medical centers for breast cancer awareness, education, screening and diagnosis, access to treatment, support services, and research. More than $13 million of that went to breast cancer research in the search for a cure. About 22% of Avon Foundation expenditures in 2007 went to fund-raising and administration expenses.
Fun fact: The U.S. Breast Cancer Crusade is Avon’s biggest breast cancer program, but the program started in the U.K. and has branches in 50 countries worldwide.
Donate online.
Other ways to get involved: Find an Avon Walk near you.
American Cancer Society
Website: http://www.cancer.org
Where the money comes from: Every year, the ACS holds noncompetitive walks called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, which raise money for breast cancer awareness and research. Since 1993, about four million participants have raised more than $280 million. The 2007 event alone raised more than $50 million.
Where the money goes: Proceeds fund cutting-edge research. The ACS supported research that contributed to discoveries of new treatments like tamoxifen and Herceptin, and it helped establish the mammogram as the cornerstone of breast cancer screening. Since 1972, the ACS has invested almost $352 million in breast cancer research.
Donate online.
