NEW YORK—The month of October officially means we have to slowly but surely pull out those tucked away sweaters and brace ourselves for the return of the pumpkin spice latte. As we lament over minor things like the weather changing and the early sunsets, it’s also important to remember that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM).
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc., one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their life. While it is estimated that over 252,710 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, early detection can increase the chances of finding the cancer before it spreads.
Throughout the country, members of the optical community are doing their part to increase the number of breast cancer survivors by creating awareness and supporting various foundations. Below are some of the companies who have contributed to the cause by creating special Breast Cancer Awareness frames, donating funds, launching campaigns and more.
Marcolin—Guess Eyewear
For a third year, Marcolin’s Guess Eyewear has partnered with The Get In Touch Foundation to create a capsule collection to support breast cancer awareness. The GU2663 is an optical frame featuring a modified rectangular shape that showcases a thin front profile. This double laminated style is black with light pink on the inside of the frame, keeping with the foundation’s pink color palette. Each temple is adorned with a glitter-filled iconic G logo and completed with a breast cancer metal ribbon and glitter on each temple tip. The GU7546 is a modified square silhouette with a soft gradient sun lens and shares the same coloration and temple design as the GU2663 optical frame.
ClearVision Optical—Ellen Tracy Limited Edition Readers Collection
Ellen Tracy readers is ClearVision Optical’s limited-edition collection benefitting breast cancer research. ClearVision Optical is donating 22 percent of the suggested retail price to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The frames feature a pink and black color palette as well as crystal stone embellishments and ribbon motifs. The readers are available in four powers: +1.00, +1.50, +2.00, +2.50.
The McGee Group—Vera Bradley
The McGee Group is encouraging everyone to take a picture of themselves or friends wearing Vera Bradley frames and use the hashtag #focusonacure when posting to social media. During the month of October, the McGee Group has pledged to donate $10 to the Vera Bradley Breast Cancer Foundation, for every hashtag that is posted to Facebook and Instagram. There is no limit to the amount of times you can enter, but only one entry is permitted per unique image.
edCFDA—Frames for A Cause
The Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA) joined forces to create a special capsule collection of eyewear frames in aid of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC), the charitable initiative of the CFDA Foundation that raises funds and awareness of breast cancer. Each designer created Frames for A Cause eyeglasses inspired by FTBC’s blue and white hues. The designs were available at each designer’s booth for the duration of Vision Expo East and became available in optical and fashion stores starting May 1.
Hilco Vision—Think Pink Campaign
Hilco continues to contribute to the Breast Cancer Foundation via their Think Pink Campaign. Throughout the month of October and all-year-round, Hilco Vision contributes a portion of all sales generated by any Hilco Vision Breast Cancer Awareness product. To date, the company has contributed more than $35,000. Product includes a Think Pink lens care kit—which features lens cleaner, a pattern cleaning cloth and a convenient storage case—and a cleaner/combo set that includes lens cleaner and a microfiber cleaning cloth.
OptiSource—Lady’s Line Tool Collection
OptiSource supports the cause by offering a line of pliers, cleaning cloths and a lens cleaner bottle, geared toward Breast Cancer Awareness. The company donates 5 percent of the sales of these items to the Breast Cancer Foundation at the end of each year. The pliers feature a rubberized grip that is emblazoned with the pink Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon and can be bought individually or as a set.