NEW YORK—Aside from pumpkin-spiced drinks, sweater weather, fall foliage and Halloween preparation excitement, October has become the time to observe, support and mark National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM).

For some, this means adding a little pink to their wardrobes. Certainly as many now know, NBCAM is more than just festive attire. Through continued support, the Breast Cancer Awareness Movement has made astounding strides in the fight against this invasive disease. According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 2.8 million women who have beat breast cancer in the U.S. alone.

Throughout the country, members of the optical community are doing their part to increase the number of breast cancer survivors worldwide and are augmenting their own local activities and actions by backing those who support the cause.

Vision Monday features several optical companies who are among those that have contributed to the Breast Cancer Awareness Movement by offering special collections and products that support this powerful cause.

The Loved reader embodies the spirit of the limited edition Ellen Tracy collection with a powder pink acetate frame enveloped in ribbon motifs.

ClearVision Optical – Ellen Tracy
Over the past several years, ClearVision (www.cvoptical.com) has raised well over $400,000 in support of breast cancer research. To continue their support in finding a cure, ClearVision Optical has introduced Ellen Tracy readers, a limited edition collection of four high quality ready readers designed to benefit breast cancer research and awareness. Now through August 2016, ClearVision will donate 22 percent of the suggested retail price of Ellen Tracy readers to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org).

With names like Hopeful, Loved, Survivor and Thrive, the Ellen Tracy collection captures the strength of breast cancer survivors and embodies their courage to continue the fight against the disease. Available in a pink and black color palette, the on-trend metal and acetate readers feature uplifting cat eye and rectangular shapes with crystal stone embellishments and ribbon motifs in four magnifications including +1.0, +1.5, +2.0 and +2.5.


Hilco presents the “Think Pink” Lens
Care Combo Kit.

Hilco
Hilco (www.hilco.com) continues to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer through their ongoing “Think Pink” awareness campaign. To date, Hilco has contributed more than $35,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, a portion of all sales generated by Hilco Breast Cancer Awareness products will be donated to the cause. “Think Pink” merchandise includes lens cleaners, microfiber clothes and trendy readers adorned with a pink ribbon accent.


From the Vera Bradley Kids collection, Ada offers a teacup eye shape featuring Katalina Pink on the temples with an enamel floral detail on the tips.

The McGee Group – Vera Bradley
The McGee Group (www.mcgeegroup.com) makes a splash this October with two annual Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives.

Firstly, McGee has launched their latest Vera Bradley Breast Cancer Awareness collection of six ophthalmic and three sun styles. The collection features a new Katalina Pink color of stylized florals in sweet pinks and rich creams to help raise awareness for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer (www.verabradley.org). Women of all ages can sport Katalina Pink and support the cause with frames from the Vera Bradley ladies, Girlfriends and kids collection. McGee will donate a portion of sales to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer for a future free from breast cancer.

To make it easier to participate in donating to this worthy cause, McGee has announced their second annual #FOCUSONACURE social media initiative for Facebook and Instagram. During the month of October, McGee is encouraging Vera Bradley enthusiasts to take a selfie wearing their Vera Bradley frames and something pink with the hashtag #FOCUSONACURE. For every hashtag received, The McGee Group will donate $10 on their behalf to the Vera Bradley Breast Cancer Foundation.


Oakley’s Breast Cancer Awareness Collection includes the special edition YSC Finesse Polished Black eyeglass with
swirls of pink ribbon gracing the inner temples.

Oakley
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, Oakley (www.oakley.com) has partnered with Young Survival Coalition (YSC) (www.youngsurvival.org), a global organization dedicated to helping women diagnosed with breast cancer feel supported, empowered and hopeful. With every purchase from Oakley’s special edition Breast Cancer Awareness Collection, Oakley will contribute $20 to the cause. To date, this valuable partnership has raised over $5 million for YSC.


Each OptiSource plier from the Lady’s Line Tool collection is equipped with a comfortable rubberized grip with a pink
Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon motif.

OptiSource
OptiSource (www.1-800-optisource.com) takes action against breast cancer by offering a line of products specially created to support the cause. The line features an assortment of Lady’s Line Tools, RevitaLash Eyelash Conditioner, Breast Cancer Awareness Cleaning Cloths and Lens Cleaner. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these products will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org).


The Limited Edition Pink Ribbon Collection features the brand’s well known, award-winning product, Revita-Lash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner in two sizes, a 3.5
mL and 2.0 mL.

RevitaLash
Athena Cosmetics, Inc., makers of RevitaLash Cosmetics (www.revitalash.com) has been an advocate of non-profit breast cancer support initiatives. The company has introduced its 2015 Limited Edition Pink Ribbon packaging and will elevate their support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year by donating 10 percent of the profits from the sales of the Limited Edition Pink Ribbon RevitaLash Advanced to research and education initiatives during its dedicated month-long Pink Ribbon Promotion in October.

Athena Cosmetics’ founder and CEO, Michael Brinkenhoff, MD, was motivated by his courageous wife, Gayle, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 32, and the company incorporates the ongoing support of breast cancer research and education year-round as part of the company’s heritage and DNA. As indicated by the pink ribbon symbol on all their packaging, a portion of proceeds from the sale of each RevitaLash Cosmetics product benefits the cause.

“As a family run company, we feel extremely fortunate we can be in a position to support breast cancer research as an ongoing commitment not just during the spotlight of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but throughout the year,” said Dr. Brinkenhoff. “The magnitude of this commitment touches our company each day in the business decisions we make and the sales and marketing efforts we share with our strong network of business partners and loyal brand followers.”

OptiSource International is the company’s distributor in the optical market and will be carrying the pink ribbon RLA 2.0 as well as its standard RevitaLash 3.0 and Intro Offer Kit. Queries should be directed toward OptiSource International: 40 Sawgrass Drive, Bellport, NY 11713.Phone: (800) 678-4768; International Phone: (631) 924-8360.


Strong in performance and style, Smith’s Purist sun style offers a rounded, rectangular lens profile in a stylish,
8-base wrap with auto-lock hinges, megol nose pads and carbonic lenses.

Smith Optics
Smith Optics (www.smithoptics.com/us/) dedicates the month of October to celebrating strong, beautiful and unstoppable women in action sports. In addition to honoring female athletes, Smith highlights and supports the non-profit organization, First Descents (firstdescents.org/). First Descents offers outdoor adventure experiences to young adult cancer fighters and survivors empowering them to reclaim their lives. For every sunglass sold on their website in October, Smith will donate $1 to First Descents.

To help spread the word, Smith will be hosting a social media contest, searching for the best photo each week that exemplifies strong, beautiful and unstoppable moments. The winner will be selected every Monday by one of Smith’s female athletes and will receive a complete Smith sport-specific prize pack including helmet, eyewear and/or apparel.


All Tura Inc. frames in shades of pink to red support the cause, including this Ted Baker B925 style with a metal bow detail.

Tura Inc.
Tura Inc. (www.tura.com) goes pink for October. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Tura Inc. will donate $2 to Susan G. Komen for each pink frame ordered during the month of October with a color code of PNK, PIN, ROS or RED. With over 100,000 volunteers and partnerships in more than 50 countries, the Susan G. Komen organization has raised over $1.5 billion for breast cancer education, research, advocacy, health services and social support programs.


Made entirely in Italy, the Velvet Eyewear collection features the Ilene, a hand finished and polished acetate frame
in rose tortoise with a keyhole bridge for the perfect fit.

Velvet Eyewear
Velvet Eyewear (www.velveteyewear.com/) joins the fight against breast cancer with their online #PINK promotion. By using promo code #PINK at checkout on Velveteyewear.com, the customer will not only receive $75 off of his or her purchase, but Velvet will donate 5 percent of all October sales to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (makingstrides.acsevents.org) foundation.