The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) took place in October, 1985, making this month the 25th year for the program. With other organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society on the Board of Sponsors, attention continues to grow for breast cancer awareness. Due in part to the collective efforts behind NBCAM, there has been a 2% annual decrease in breast cancer death rates since 1990. The increased survival rate is inspirational, but the fight continues.

About 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2009. In 1975 the incidence of breast cancer was 107 per 100,000 for white women and 94 per 100,000 for black women. Thirty years later in 2005, the number of new cases per year had risen to 126 per 100,000 for white women and 114 per 100,000 for black women.

As you go about your normal shopping habits this month, notice the various promotions to support breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure alone has over 150 corporate partners that make generous donations (proudly, some are customers of ours), which include percentage donations based on sales. For example, every pink Yoplait lid mailed back to the company contributes 10 cents to Susan G. Komen. Or if you’re in the market for a new car, Ford will donate $20 for each Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle test driven at a Ford dealership – up to $1 million until December 31st. For a full list of corporate sponsors and how your purchase can help, click here.

As huge "So You Think You Can Dance" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" fans, we also wanted to share this video in celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.