Big Bam! (http://www.bigbam.com/) is a non-profit organization
whose mission is to educate young women about breast cancer. While the majority of breast cancer cases occur
in women over 50 years of age, there is a growing concern about breast cancer in younger women. According to
Big Bam!, the incidence of breast cancer in young women increased by approximately 55% between 1950 and 1995
and continues to rise at a rate of 2% each year.
Breast cancer survivor Janice Bonadio is the Founder of Big Bam! Bonadio was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 27 and says the goal of Big Bam! is to cater information and attention to young women at high risk of breast cancer. To this end, Big Bam! hosts dynamic events across the United States to raise funds for free mammograms, surgeries and treatments for uninsured women with breast cancer, and to educate women under 40 about breast health. The Fashion and Music Series, MIND-BODY-SELF Festival, Workout in the Park Series (with SELF magazine), and Bi-Coastal Bash (with SHAPE) are examples of recent events organized by Big Bam! To learn more Big Bam! events, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/events/bigbam.asp
Race
for the Cure (http://www.raceforthecure.com/),
sponsored by The Susan G. Komen Foundation, organizes 5K runs to help support national
breast cancer research efforts and local breast cancer initiatives. The Race for the Cure
helps us remember loved ones who were stolen from us by breast cancer. It is about
personal participation and contribution to make a difference in the fight against breast
cancer, as well as celebrating those who had faced the disease.
The Race for the Cure series has become the largest series of 5K runs in the United States, held in 99 cities across the United States in 1999. The Race for the Cure website provides users with dates, cities, and contact information for upcoming races. Proceeds from the Race for the Cure Series fund both national research efforts and local breast cancer initiatives. A majority of the proceeds fund community programs related to breast health education, screening and treatment, and are based on specific area needs determined by local Komen Foundation representatives. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds fund national breast cancer research and project grants. Imaginis.com is proud to join in Race for the Cure events around the U.S..
The "Fund the Fight,
Find a Cure" semi-postal stamp was released to help fund breast cancer research. The
stamp's introduction was a direct result of the efforts of Ernie Bodai, MD, a Breast
Health Specialist who has treated over 2,000 women with breast cancer over the last 15
years. The U.S. Postal Service reports that as of July 2000, sales of the Breast
Cancer Research Stamp have raised $15 million to help breast cancer research. The Breast
Cancer Research stamp sells for $0.40 instead of the normal $0.34 for a first class stamp.
The additional $0.06 goes to National Institutes of Health and the Defense Department for
breast cancer research. A "normal" book of 20 first class stamps costs $6.80. A
book of 20 Breast Cancer Research stamps costs $8.00. In support of this effort,
Imaginis.com uses Breast Cancer stamps for postage on outgoing mail. http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/stamp.asp
Imaginis.com
donates annually to the American Breast Cancer Foundation (http://www.abcf.org). The American Breast Cancer Foundation is a
non-profit foundation devoted to helping women fight breast cancer through education and
screening mammography. Recognizing that there was not enough attention or aid given to
women affected by breast cancer, Phyllis Wolf co-founded the Foundation with the goal of
bringing personal attention to those in need of support, while reaching out to the many
women who do not know help is available.
The American Breast Cancer Foundation sponsors a "Save A Life" Campaign to provide free mammograms to thousands of women who otherwise could not afford them. Volunteers give seminars and send out hundreds of thousands of newsletters about breast cancer awareness, the importance of screening mammography and the free mammography service offered by the Foundation. Applications for assistance for receiving a free mammogram are available on their website at http://www.abcf.org. Once the application is submitted and received, an individual telephone interview will be conducted to determine the nature of assistance based on the women’s need. Women may also call the foundation directly toll free at 877-Key -2- Life (877-539-2543).
Click here for additional Breast Cancer resources and websites.
