Many of us have, or know someone who has, been affected by breast cancer. It is the most common cancer among Canadian Women, and in this year alone, an estimated 22,300 women will be diagnosed with it 5,300 will die.

Yet most of us are at a loss as to what we can do about it. Well, this
October marks your chance. While you can volunteer or donate any time of the year, this month is especially endowed with plenty of opportunities to get informed and help out.

Many of your favourite brands are partnering with organizations like the
Canadian Cancer Society and Rethink Breast Cancer to educate the public and raise funds for research and support programs. Here are our top picks for how to get involved:

1. Hbc, is stepping up with an exclusive pink merchandise line, including pink stripe HBC Signature throws and Think Pink aprons, with net proceeds going directly to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, funding research that will impact early diagnosis, effective treatment and increase the survival rate and quality of life of those living with breast cancer.

2. Canadian denim brand Fidelity debuts its Belladonna BC “Cross Your Heart” jean, featuring a “Cross Your Heart” pocket stitch and adorable charm cluster. All proceeds of the mid-rise jeans in classic dark wash will go to Rethink Breast Cancer.

3. Fashionable online retailer Net-a-Porter.com has partnered with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Worldwide, which helps women concerned about or diagnosed with breast cancer gain access to reliable health information and quality health care. The site will offer limited edition FTBC-branded items such as Ralph Lauren’s new and exclusive FTBC shirt with 100% of net profits from the sale of these items benefiting the initiative.

4. Wonderbra is offering two bra styles (one $33, one $37), identifiable by their pink packaging with the trademark breast cancer ribbon featured on the front, where $5 from each sale will be go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

5. Roots is launching two special edition Rethink Breast Cancer watches, the elegant pink-dial Splendour ($115) and the fun Fiesta ($45), with $10 for every Splendour sold, and $5 for every Fiesta, going to Rethink Breast
Cancer.6. Estee Lauder will donate $100,000 in connection with its Canadian sales of the Pink Ribbon Collection, including a gorgeous Jeweled Pink Ribbon Compact & Brush Set ($55), to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

7. Clinique will be offering a limited edition, jumbo-sized bottle of its best-selling Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion ($45.50) with collectible Clinique and Pink Ribbon cellphone charms, with $10 from each sale donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

8. “1 in 8” is a soft sheer pink lip gloss ($25) from Balmshell that alludes to the fact that one in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer. One dollar from each sale will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

9. Yves Rocher will offer a special Pink Ribbon edition of its best-selling Arnica Essential Daily Moisturizing Hand Cream ($4), donating 50% ($2) to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

10. Ten percent of the sale of Crabtree & Evelyn’s La Source 60 Second Fix Kit, especially packaged in a pink box, will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

But it’s not just beauty and fashion brands that care. Here are some other favourite brands working for the cause:

Riedel Crystal’s new Pink Vinum Rose glass ($50), featuring a pale pink stem and created specifically for rose wines, is designed to support Living Beyond Breast Cancer, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of the women and families affected by the disease. Fifteen percent of the wholesale price will be donated.

Tetley is introducing three new flavours (from $2.89) Blueberry Green Tea, Mango Passionfruit Acai Green Tea and White Raspberry Tea where 15 cents from each sale will go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Look for the iconic breast cancer pink ribbon on the canister.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment are joining forces with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation on a multi-title “DVDs For The Cure” promotion, where $0.75 from each sale will go to the foundation. DVDs like Mermaids, In Her Shoes and Legally Blonde will be available in distinct pink packaging that includes the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation logo and the cause ribbon graphic.

Finally, cash-strapped do-gooders can take heart. Here’s something you can do that won‚t cost you a penny: Pantene Pro-V and the Canadian Cancer Society are encouraging people to grow, cut and donate their hair to make real-hair wigs for Canadian women battling cancer. Hair loss can by an especially crippling blow to women fighting cancer. In fact, a study revealed that 58% of women consider hair loss to be the worst side effect of chemotherapy. So help a girl out by growing out and participating in
Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program. In addition to creating wigs (last year the campaign collected more than 17,000 ponytails), Pantene has made a $100,000 donation to the Canadian Cancer Society to show its commitment to the cause. For more information, visit pantene.ca.