Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2011

Going on her 11th year as a strong survivor, breast cancer awareness is a cause Betsey Johnson proudly stands up for. Never missing an opportunity to share her experience, raise funds for a cure, and spread awareness, each year Betsey launches a line of products for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Along with launching the Betsey Johnson Survivor Sundae at Serendipity 3 in New York City, Betsey has designed several “I’m A Survivor” pieces including the “Survivor” sunglass. The handmade acetate sunglass features a black frame front with the iconic Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon metal plaque on both of the Betsey signature pink temples. A portion of the proceeds will go to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, a charitable initiative of the CFDA Foundation. These frames can be found at better optical boutiques nationwide for a suggested retail price of $225.

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In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Gilt has partnered with actress and breast cancer survivor Christina Applegate on a sale filled with inspiring styles from head to toe. But what we’re most inspired by is Christina’s grace in not only beating the disease herself, but using her enormous star power to help other women get educated about the disease. Through her foundation, Right Action for Women, the “Up All Night” star provides information on early screening and detection, treatment options, and empowerment for those afflicted.

Applegate tells Gilt, “The reason I started Right Action for Women was to get the word out that this doesn’t just happen to women who are over 55…I was 36 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The reason that I was able to beat it was by early detection and that was by the smarts of my doctor, who said, ‘Mammograms are not for you; we’re going to do an MRI.’ An MRI can find breast cancer many years before a mammogram can. That’s something that I learned, and that I didn’t know about until I found out in my own life.” And the actress reminds that you can take matters into your hands—literally. “Early detection is key. Breast health is key. It’s to know your body, to be able to do self-examinations, to talk to your doctor if you know that you have a history in your family on either side,” she explains.

“I remember that when my mother was going through cancer, she always said to me, ‘Cancer is a word, not a sentence,’ Applegate tells Gilt. “And I know that there are women who come to this at different stages of cancer, but if we can wrap our heads around the idea that it’s not who you are—you are not cancer, and cancer does not own you; it’s a word and not a sentence—you can start there in your fight, and take your power back. Educate yourself. And try everything—from Eastern to Western medicine, everything you can—to take control back.”

Learn more at http://www.rightactionforwomen.org/ and shop Christina’s inspired sale beginning October 12 at noon ET on www.gilt.com.

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