As many of you know Breast Cancer Awareness month begins today, October 1st.

As a woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer, my perception of all things breast cancer has changed over the past year. Because of my new ‘status’ as a breast cancer patient during BCA month, I’d like to inform y’all about some things relating to breast cancer and support that you can take into consideration during the month of October (and always!).

Check your breasts

Women, check your breasts. Every month. If something feels off, go to the doctor. Get them checked out. It can happen to you. One in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. And more women are getting breast cancer earlier in life. I found my tumor at 26 and was diagnosed at 27. Despite the recommendation that only women over 45 get regular mammograms, this isn’t just a cancer that happens to grandmas, moms, and aunts. It can happen to any woman at any time. And it does.

Stage 4 needs more

While breast cancer is often highly curable, metastatic breast cancer is not. It is fatal. Women may live for many years with the disease, but so far there is NO cure for metastatic (also known as Stage 4) breast cancer. Stage 4 needs more funding, research, and recognition. Metastatic breast cancer awareness day is October 13th annually, and you can learn more about the disease and how to help.

Watch where you buy your pink “support” gear from

If you want to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness, go for it! But first find out whether where you’re buying pink gear from is actually donating part of the proceeds to breast cancer research foundations or not. If not, find a store that is and buy from them instead.

A lot of companies like to make a quick buck off of people who either think they’re being supportive and don’t know better or off survivors/thrivers looking to buy some gear for themselves. We don’t want this. Wearing pink without actually donating to foundations that help breast cancer patients doesn’t support a damn thing.

Instead, look for a BCRF (Breast Cancer Research Fund) label or partnership acknowledgement on a company’s website. If you don’t see something like this (below), from the Loft, on a company’s page anywhere – but they ARE selling “pink” gear – they are NOT donating to breast cancer research.

Here are a few other companies who are donating proceeds to BCRF or other breast cancer organizations:

• Torrid
• Ulta
• Funko // shop the Pops here
• Lilly Pulitzer

Pay attention to what you say and how you say it to women battling breast cancer

Don’t tell someone who gets diagnosed with breast cancer that they’re *lucky* because they got the *good* cancer. While again, breast cancer is highly treatable, treatment – especially for those who have to endure chemo – is painful and life-altering.

I dealt with significant hair loss despite cold capping, severe face and arm rashes, gastrointestinal issues that caused me to drop 40 pounds over four months’ time, nail discoloration, and medication-induced side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, hot flashes, and fatigue. And really, no cancer is “GOOD”.

Also, we don’t want to hear how your cousin’s friend’s grandma “had breast cancer, too!” …and then died from it.

If you’re talking about someone close and personal to you who died from breast cancer (a direct relative, a friend), that’s different. But still, talking about death could be triggering to breast cancer patients – ESPECIALLY those with mets. Ask before sharing a story about someone who died from the same cancer someone is currently going through treatment for.

Do your research to help others

All it takes is a quick Google search: “breast cancer awareness month donations” for multiple options to pop up. If you can’t afford to donate, share a post on social media and help bring awareness to others. Breast cancer isn’t something we should brush off because “oh everyone knows about it”. We need you to speak up, donate, and participate.

And if you’re feeling generous, donate to my Making Strides of Chicago page. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. On October 16, 2021, I’ll be walking alongside my boyfriend and the team at Advocate Illinois Masonic hospital in acknowledgement of my fight and the fights of other thrivers and survivors.