Each October, we team up with an organization that we believe is doing important work around breast cancer awareness and research. Through those relationships, we have learned a lot about the disease, how to detect it, and who is at risk. We have also learned, that black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women (CDC).

• Lack of Health Insurance and Access to Healthcare
  • “Black women are more likely to be screened at lower resourced and non-accredited facilities and also experience longer intervals between mammograms, and between abnormal results and follow-up.” (Source: Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2019 – 2020)
• Triple Negative Breast Cancer
  • “Black women have the highest odds (2 times more likely) of getting Triple Negative Breast Cancer, a kind of breast cancer that often is aggressive and comes back after treatment. It has the highest mortality rate and is the only breast cancer sub-type that does not have a therapy to prevent recurrence. Note that younger women and women diagnosed at later stages are more likely to get Triple Negative Breast Cancer.” (Source: Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2019 – 2020)

So, this year we decided that we would align with an organization that focuses their efforts specifically on the African American community and provide funding to help black women get the preventative care that they need. That’s how we found the Sisters Network^® Inc. The Sisters Network^® Inc. (SNI). Founded in 1994 by four-time breast cancer survivor Karen Eubanks Jackson, SNI is a leading voice and only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States. As a nationally recognized organization among leading medical establishments and breast cancer physicians, Sisters Network is also recognized as a critical information resource for African American women including financial resources, support groups and transportation resources to name a few.

Smart&Sexy has committed a $1 for every purchase in October 2020* to be donated to the SNI’s COVID-19 Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP). This program was specifically created to provide financial support to breast cancer survivors impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and also pays for mammograms for underserved women who cannot afford to pay for a mammogram or that do not have health insurance. That’s a purchase you can be proud of.

But, there is more we can do. When it comes to breast cancer, early detection is imperative. Mammograms, clinical and self-breast exams are all ways we can stay on top of changes in our own bodies, but it’s also important to have conversations with your loved ones about breast cancer. Encourage and inspire your loved ones to check in on their health. When was the last time you talked to your mom, sister, or friends about breast cancer?

*Smart&Sexy will donate a $1 for every purchase in October 2020 to the Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) for the Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP) up to $20,000.