October is here (HOLY COW) and that means an onslaught of pumpkin-flavored yummies as well many opportunities for us to help out wonderful organizations in their advocacy work.

The first thing that comes to mind, I’m sure, is October is awash with pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is important to me, as it is to many people (too many, unfortunately), as my mother and my aunt were both diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, they are both diligent in preventative care and were able to catch them early and are now cancer free. I did the BRCA testing (you can read more about that here) and it’s not hereditary, but it’s a reminder for me to be aware of my body and the importance of annual check ups.

There’s so many creative ways to help out. I met with eos, the beauty company known for their fun spherical lip balms, and found out they are donating their profits from their pink Berry Blossom body lotion in the month of October to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. As if I needed another reason to like the brand! 

Another beauty company, Ulta, is hosting a number of campaigns to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, including Cut-A-Thon at the Salon. For $10, get your hair cut and the proceeds go to the foundation! You can also get a pink hair extension to get people talking about the cause.

If you’re feeling extra generous, consider chopping off your locks to donate to make wigs for women and children who have lost their hair to cancer treatments. I did this back in March (ME, known for having long hair!) and the stylists at Ulta were so helpful! I chose to donate my hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign, and I also recommend Wigs for Kids.

Here are even more ways you can help:

• During Spa Month in Palm Beach County, a number of spas are donating their proceeds to breast cancer groups, including The Breakers’ donating to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Eau Spa to Making Strides Palm beach, and SiSpa at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island to Jupiter Medical Center Comprehensive Cancer Services.
• Every year, the Fountainebleau Miami Beach celebrates its Bleau Goes Pink campaign with donations from their dinners, spa sessions, room reservations, and more to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
• Restaurants throughout South Florida are creating specialty cocktails for guests to purchase, with a portion of proceeds going to different breast cancer-fighting organizations. These include Rocco’s Tacos, Steak 954, City Tap, the Continental, and more.

The simplest way to help with breast cancer research is to simply donate to your favorite charity, or even your local clinic. Before donating, be sure that you know where your money is going — Charities Navigator listed their highest-ranked charities.

And last of all talk about boobs (you too, guys!). Talk about mammograms, talk about self breast examinations, talk about your health. You never know whose life you could save!

NEXT WEEK: Did you know that October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month? Let’s stop the silence and talk about how we can end it.