NEW YORK—It seems as though there is an honorary awareness month for everything… Chocolate Lover’s Month (February), Pets are Wonderful Month (April), National Dirty Harry Month (August, seriously.) Some are silly and fun, while others have made serious strides in spreading recognition and education of very important issues.

October has been National Breast Cancer Awareness month since 1985 and it is still going strong. In the last 28 years, events tied to it have helped raised billions of dollars for ground-breaking research and community health outreach, advocacy and education.

A portion of that money each year is raised right here in the optical industry thanks to a number of companies who develop programs to offer specially designed products or collections that raise money for breast cancer awareness. Here are just a few of the products being offered this year that help support this important cause:

McGee Group www.mcgeegroup.com
Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer
www.verabradley.org

 

In addition to their ongoing partnership with the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer in which they have donated a portion of the proceeds of all Vera Bradley eyewear and sunwear sales to the foundation since 2006, for 2013 McGee’s Vera Bradley Breast Cancer Awareness collection features frames in the new Ribbons pattern. The collection includes ladies, Girlfriends and kids frames with the pattern which is characterized by whimsical blooms and cheerful pink ribbons to symbolize hope for the future.


Oakley www.oakley.com
Young Survival Coalition www.youngsurvival.org

 

Oakley has continued its partnership with the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) by donating $20 from the sale of each YSC breast cancer awareness edition style to the organization. This year, there are four styles available in the collection; the Radar Edge, a toric shield style in arctic white with hot pink accents; the Given, a classic teardrop aviator with a hot pink and white O detail at the hinge and swirls of fuchsia ribbon graphics on the stems; LBD, an oversized, glamorous sunglass with a pink twist; and the Downshift, a limited edition teacup optical style with pink accents.

Eyewear by ROI www.eyewearbyroi.com
Pink Ribbon Girls www.pinkribbongirls.org

 

Eyewear by ROI has released the Karen Kane Linda frame, a limited edition ophthalmic style in Black Cherry, 50 percent of the proceeds of which will go to the Pink Ribbon Girls charity. Pink Ribbon Girls’ mission is to provide personalized support to young women throughout all phases of breast cancer. The Linda frame comes with a custom pink case, a pink leopard cleaning cloth and has the Pink Ribbon Girls logo on the front right demo lens.

Viva International Group www.vivagroup.com
Susan G. Komen www.komen.org

 

Viva has partnered for the first time this year with Susan G. Komen on a limited edition collection of two Guess women’s ophthalmic frames to support the foundation’s mission. Until July 31, 2014, $5 from the sale of each specially marked Guess optical frame will be donated to Komen with a collective guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000 to support innovative breast cancer research and global programs. Each pair also comes with a custom collaboration case, box, lens cloth and pamphlet detailing the partnership.

Hilco www.hilco.com
American Breast Cancer Foundation www.abcf.org

 

Hilco has contributed more than $26,000 to the American Breast Cancer Foundation through their “Think Pink” campaign over the last seven years. This month and throughout the year, Hilco will contribute a portion of all sales generated by any Hilco Breast Cancer Awareness product to the cause as well. This year’s collection of products includes the “Think Pink” 35ml Lens Care Kit, the “Think Pink” 20ml Lens Care Kit, a “Think Pink” Plano Swim Goggle, the ErgoPro Slim Line Pliers Kit in pink and a “Think Pink” Cleaner/Combo Set.

Spy Optic www.spyoptic.com
Keep A Breast Foundation www.keep-a-breast.org

 

Spy has collaborated with the Keep A Breast Foundation on the sixth edition of the growing Keep A Breast Collection and for 2013 offers the all-new Spy + Keep A Breast Discord sunglass. As with all pieces in the collection, including a snow goggle, moto goggle and performance piece, Spy will donate $5 from the sale of every Discord to Keep A Breast. All proceeds aid them in their mission of educating youth about early detection and exposure to cancer-causing toxins in everyday life. To date, Spy has raised over $37,000 to help fund Keep A Breast education and prevention programs.

ClearVision www.cvoptical.com
Susan G. Komen www.komen.org

 

ClearVision and BCBGMaxAzria have created a pair of cause-related, limited edition sunglasses to raise funds for Susan G. Komen. This year’s design—Courage—will donate 20 percent of the retail sales from each pair to the organization with a guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000. Since their partnership began, the duo has raised over $400,000 for Susan G. Komen. Courage is a triple laminate acetate sunglass style featuring a square shape, two-tone color design and crystals on the temple with the signature Komen Running Ribbon inside the left temple. ■

dcarroll@jobson.com