October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! There are plenty of great ways to support breast cancer research foundations and organizations. You can donate directly to your preferred cause, or use your purchasing powers at local establishments to give back. Important facts About Breast Cancer In The United States:

• One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
• Each year it is estimated that over 246,660 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.
• Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 440 will die each year.
• On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
• Over 2.8 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today.

9 of my favorite ways to help fight breast cancer include:

1. 3rd Annual Bark for Breast Cancer Dog Walk

Dress up your pooch in pink and take him or her for a charity walk! Tails in the City is hosting their 3rd Annual Bark for Breast Cancer Dog Walk on Sunday October 2nd, 2016 from 11 am to noon. Register your dog (or yourself, humans can participate alone, too!) and help raise funds to the Lynn Sage Foundation. Details can be found here.

2. Donuts

MAK Modern Asian Kitchen will not only donate part of proceeds from their MAK Donuts sales to the Lynn Sage In Good Taste Campaign, they will also double your order for free. BOGO offer is valid in October, get one freshly fried mini doughnut for just $1, or six for $5. This Wicker Park revolutionary Chinese restaurant offers natural proteins, fresh ingredients, all while celebrating the authentic taste of Asian cuisine.

3. Apparel

Deja Brew Bar & Grille in Oak Lawn partnered with a local boutique and design studio SixtyFour Creative to create these one of a kind t-shirts and tanks in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. $5 from each shirt sold will benefit the Advocate Christ Center for Breast Cancer Care Center in Oak Lawn.  Shop here and support this great campaign!

4. French Toast

Planning a girls brunch in October? Be sure it’s at one of Kanela Breakfast Club’s five Chicago locations. This go-to Chicago breakfast restaurant will donate part of proceeds from their Red Velvet French Toast sales to the Lynn Sage Foundation’s In Good Taste Chicago Campaign. All Kanela locations are open daily, offer organic and local ingredients and make killer Bloody Mary’s and cocktails.

5. Wine

A photo posted by ivy (@inivyshead) on Jun 15, 2016 at 3:49pm PDT

Cellar Angels is a wine company focused on connecting fine wine lovers with small production wines from the Napa and Sonoma.  10% of your every purchase supports a charity cause from the list of 12 partners. One of their partners is The Edith Sanford Breast Foundation, which focuses “on smart, innovative genomics research to help end this devastating disease”. Consider shopping for that special occasion dinner pairing through Cellar Angels and let your purchase support the cause! Membership is free, tweet me for a free shipping code!

A “wine club” is like no other, members receive a special price, learn about the winemakers, even get bonus perks with case purchases. Keep this website in mind for Christmas and holiday shopping – that one wine enthusiast on your list will thank you!

6. Pink Hair or Lipstick

Gordon Salon in Lakeview, Glenview, Highland Park and Wilmette will offer pink hair extensions for $20 each with 50% of proceeds benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Try them “hidden”, like the new hidden rainbow trend, if you want something more office appropriate.

Gordon Salon is also launching a “Kiss My Lips” campaign in which you can try a new fall or winter Aveda lip color. Kiss and sign a piece of paper and drop it in a fishbowl to be entered to win an Aveda makeup gift basket and a year’s worth of the new Perfecting Plant Peel. For every entry, Gordon Salon will donate $1 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (up to $500).  

7. Wellness IV

A photo posted by IVme Wellness and Performance (@ivmechi) on Aug 18, 2016 at 7:42am PDT

IVme clinic in Old Town will donate a portion of proceeds from every Wellness and Vitality Package sold for the month of October to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 

The Wellness and Vitality Package features a stress relieving, energy inducing IV that moisturizes from the inside out. This package also includes a Super B Shot (boost energy, increase metabolic rate, helps regulate sleep, mood and appetite) and oxygen therapy (reduce stress, increase energy and alertness, can help relieve headaches, allergy and sinus problems). Get it for yourself, or give as a gift if you’re scared of needles.

8. Coffee

We’re going through a lot of Gusto Crema espresso at #tedsummit2016 so we’re using this little red wagon for transportation. #espresso #coffee #caffeine #artisancoffee

A photo posted by Caffe Umbria (@caffeumbria) on Jun 28, 2016 at 10:16am PDT

Caffè Umbria, the urban European cafe in River North, will donate $1 from every 12-ounce bag of Gusto Crema Blend purchased at the cafe to the Lynn Sage Foundation’s In Good Taste Campaign. Did you know making your own cup of coffee costs less than a dollar? Here‘s more on this research. 

9. Dinner and Drinks

Eat and drink for a cause! The following restaurants have partnered with the Lynn Sage In Good Taste Campaign:

Clark St Dog & Bar is pouring $5 Think Pink shots, so swap your usual late night pickleback for one of these in October. Vodka, peach schnapps, and a splash of cranberry – do it for the boobies!

West Loop’s Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana is making Pink Martinis with vodka, cranberry, St Germain, Mionetto Prosecco Brut Rosé and a lemon twist. Perfect pairing for the most authentic Neapolitan Pizza in Chicago.

Belly Up Smokehouse & Saloon in the South Loop is making Chocolate Strawberry Martinis all month to inspire charitable donations. It tastes as good as it sounds: Stoli Strawberry, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, cranberry juice, prosecco, lime juice, chocolate dipped rim with chocolate shavings. You thought only the BBQ here was finger lickin’ good? You were wrong my friend.

Tuscany Restaurants will offer special Pink Ribbon dishes and “Awareness Martinis” with raspberry vodka, Razzmatazz liqueur and a splash of Sprite. I see pasta and martinis in your near future!