Pitching Pink for the Cure!

For 25 years the American Cancer Society has celebrated October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women in the U.S. last year and 1,910 new cases expected to be diagnosed in men, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 40,610 deaths related to breast cancer in 2009 alone.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in women and is 100 times more common in women. 1 in 8 women develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime, the risk climbing dramatically for women over the age of 60. With energetic efforts at improving awareness and education about breast cancer, the American Cancer society is pleased to announce that breast cancer death rates are going down because of improved treatments, increased awareness, and the ability to detect cancer in its earlier stages.

This month, several conscientious companies are lending a helping hand toward finding a cure for breast cancer, and The Giggle Guide^® recognizes them for their efforts to help make breast cancer a thing of the past. We can all do our part by supporting businesses that are going “pink” for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including Baby K’tan, Nature’s Baby Organics, Comfort Silkie, Piggy Paint and The Bo Peep Boutique.

For more information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month go to http://www.nbcam.org/

Baby K’tan — Carriers Carry on the Cause

Baby K’tan is celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a sale on pink Baby K’tan baby carriers. A percentage of the pink carrier sales will go to the Miami/Ft Lauderdale chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The patent pending Baby K’tan is an ergonomically correct, 100% natural organic cotton baby carrier that is completely machine washable and made without chemicals or azo dyes. Recommended by doctors and midwives alike, the Baby K’tan is perfect for keeping baby close for ultimate bonding. Its adjustable back support holds infants to toddlers up to 42 pounds comfortably and securely without the complication of wrapping or hardware. The Baby K’tan is a cross between a front carrier and a traditional sling, offering ease of positioning and comfort for both parent and baby and its double sling provides extra security for baby and privacy while nursing. Baby K’tan is pleased to maintain safe manufacturing conditions for its employees and ensures that all its carriers are CPSIA compliant.

For more information, see www.babyktan.com.

Nature’s Baby Organics — Body Care Products Also Spread Support

Nature’s Baby Organics donates a percentage of its profits to support the fight against breast cancer. Specializing in all natural hair and body products, Nature’s Baby Organics is a family-owned company that has a comprehensive all-natural line of hair and body care essentials including shampoo, conditioner, body oil, diaper cream, chest rub, face and body moisturizer, dusting powder and natural calming spray.

All products promise to be free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, propylene glycol, DEA and synthetic fragrances. Naturally scented and unscented formulas boast 70-95% certified organic ingredients that are effective and gentle. The complete assortment of lotions and potions for complete skin and body care is at www.naturesbabyproducts.com.

Comfort Silkie — Hope Thinks Pink

Comfort Silkie is promoting their wonderfully soft Hope line that includes pink silky-smooth satin and fleece pillow covers lined with satin, a “quillow” which is a fleece and satin blanket that folds easily into a comforting pillow, throws in a selection of faux fur, satin and chenille, or pure satin, nourishing teas, candles and more. The pink, silky-soft Hope line was inspired by a dream to help bring comfort to women who currently have or have beaten breast cancer; as such, most of the items in the Hope line combine the silky- smooth comfort of satin, and the soft, warmth of fleece to help combat the fluctuations brought about by cancer treatments. At Comfort Silkie, customers who choose to buy an additional pink Comfort Silkie to be donated in their name are given free shipping for any donation sent to Comfort Silkie’s partner Neonatal intensive care units, Pediatric Intensive care units or Women’s shelter.

Cozy up to the world of comfort products at www.comfortsilkie.com.

Piggy Paint — Abolish with Polish!

During the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is being supported by Piggy Paint with a special “Fight Breast Cancer” gift set which contains two bottles of lovely pink polish for $19.99. For each “Fight Breast Cancer” gift set sold, Piggy Paint will donate a bottle of Piggy Polish and Remover to a woman who is currently undergoing breast cancer treatments, and will also give a portion of the proceeds to Susan G Korman for the Cure.

Melanie Hurley invented Piggy Paint to be safe and easy for children to use. Piggy Paint is water-based, non-toxic, and odorless, and durable yet easy to remove. Piggy Paint claims it is “as safe as mud.” And probably as much fun for kids! For more information about Piggy Paint go to www.piggypaint.com .

Bo Peep Boutique — Bra Sales Support Awareness

The Bo Peep Boutique’s owner Sarah Shipley will be supporting breast cancer research by donating $2 for every Bravado Nursing Bra she sells during the month of October directly to her community hospital’s mammography unit to promote local research and prevention. Shipley can honestly boast that the mother-inspired and created Bravado Nursing Bras she carries are the most comfortable and functional bras available to nursing women today. Available in an incredible range of wonderful colors and prints, October is the month to stock up on this essential, supporting two worthy causes that combat breast cancer at the same time: breast feeding, which has been proven to reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, and the necessary funding of breast cancer prevention through research and awareness.

We know that there are lots of other support programs throughout the children’s industry that are dedicated to the help to fight breast cancer. Please add your comment here throughout October, or e-mail Editorial Director David Gaunt, .