Think pink for breast cancer awareness month

Since 1985, October has been designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM).

In honor of my incredible friends who are breast cancer survivors, I decided that I was going to walk through my yard and make a $1.00 donation to cancer research for every pink flower I found blooming. Well, my yard is FULL of pink blooms right now, so I couldn't be quite as generous as I had intended. But I will write my check, and I hope that I can encourage some of you to do the same.

Here are some programs that I found online that gardeners and snackers might find interesting:

Breast Cancer Awareness with Flowers- ProFlowers.com donates a portion of the sale of these special bouquets to Komen for the Cure.

Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives- Yoplait conducts the highly successful Save Lids to Save Lives® program, which takes place during September and October each year. For each pink lid mailed in by customers, Yoplait will donate 10 cents to Komen with a minimum guaranteed donation of $500,000 up to $1.6 million.

Plant for Hope Program- From September 1, 2010 through November 30, 2010, EuroBlooms will sell a variety of packaged bulbs and perennials to benefit Komen for the Cure. EuroBlooms will donate 30 cents for each package of bulbs and perennials sold with a minimum guaranteed donation of $100,000.

Komen Cottage Birdhouse - From April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011, Louisville Stoneware will donate $7 from each Cottage Birdhouse sold to Komen for the Cure.

Pears Care Program- From July, 2010 through November, 2010, specially marked packages of California Pears will be sold in retail stores nationwide to benefit Komen for the Cure. On behalf of the growers of California Pears, The California Pear Advisory Board will donate $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in connection with this program.

Dove Chocolate - Promises of Hope- DOVE® Chocolate Promises of Hope™ feature messages of hope and inspirations written by breast cancer survivors. These messages capture the strength, compassion and voice of women who have overcome the battle of their lives. In 2010 DOVE® Chocolate will donate $75,000 to Komen for the Cure.

Simon Pink Ribbon Gift Cards - From September 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010 Simon Malls will sell their Simon Pink Ribbon Gift Cards in their retail centers nationwide and online at www.simongiftcard.com. Click here to find a Simon mallnear you. Simon Malls will pay $1 to Komen for the Cure for each gift card sold, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 per year.

For a list of other Corporate Sponsors of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, visit their site.