The whole month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and The San Francisco Bay Area has a number of phenomenal and supportive local organizations that provide empowerment, community, and educational resources to those affected with it.
According to 2022 statistics, about 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, with a 2004 study discovering that the Bay Area's breast cancer rate is 9% higher than in the rest of California. Whether you, a loved one, or a friend have been afflicted with breast cancer, here are different organizations and charities to support, both this month and beyond, that wholeheartedly devote their mission to fostering kind connections, medical awareness, and positivity recovery.
See also: 10 Bay Area and National Organizations With LGBTQ+ Resources to Platform For Pride Month
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1511 S Claremont St, San Mateo / (650) 326-6686 / Website
Located in San Mateo, Bay Area Cancer Connections provides a thoroughly caring network with personalized resources for those affected by either breast or ovarian cancer. This organization offers various support groups, one-on-one counseling, and an event calendar well stocked with engaging activities like Mindfulness Meditation, Writing Through Cancer, Pilates, and more, and with most available to join via Zoom.
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1388 Sutter St #400 / (415) 346-8223 / Website
Since 1992, BCPP has been dedicated to raising national awareness on and fully eliminating environmental toxins and harmful chemicals in everyday products that have been linked to breast cancer. Such committed efforts have been successful in large-scale passing health-protective laws and convincing businesses to make safer products, and on a more local level with educating communities most impacted by such products on the scientific connection they have with developing breast cancer.
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(628) 400-2297 / Website
BAYS expertly serves the Bay Area youth that are or have been affected by breast cancer. This group provides educational material, support groups, and a safe, inclusive space for those undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery at a young age. BAYS is a caring, hopeful, and inspirational community for all, also hosting a Mets in the City (MITC) support group for those with metastatic breast cancer.
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2500 Mowry Ave #130, Fremont / (510) 790-1911 / Website
HERS stands for Hope, Empowerment, Renewal, and Support, and is an all-encompassing compassionate and inclusive service for those in the Fremont area, regardless of financial status. Ongoing community events, post-surgical products, and more are what HERS Breast Cancer Foundation wonderfully excels at, boasting a neighborhood reputation as a remarkably "soft place to fall."
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2100 Webster St # 401 / (415) 202-1570 / Website
The San Francisco Women's Cancer Network was founded as a coalition of committed health care professionals, caring community members, informed consumer health advocates, and more in 1987 to raise funds for low-cost mammograms for low-income or marginalized women in San Francisco who are either under or uninsured. Available at Zuckerberg SFGH, this is a premier group that is highly skilled at navigating cultural or linguistic differences.
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First established in 2018, Walk Strong Bay Area powerfully raises money through their driven and formidable team of walkers that have donated their funds towards the detection, treatment, and cure of breast cancer. Having raised over $123K in the last four years, for 2022 these passionate trailblazers aim to garner over $36K, with their fifth Annual Walk set for October 8th.
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1-877 GO KOMEN / Website
With branches all over the country, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is one of the most prolific and well known resources for education, screenings, treatment, and diligent research. The San Francisco Bay Area Affliiate here features volunteer programs all within 9 of our local counties that have allocated funds for outreach projects that uplift those medically underserved.
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601 Montgomery St #650 / (800) 227-2345 / Website
As one of the oldest and largest cancer organization, The American Cancer Society (ACS) helps with all types, especially with funding billions specifically towards breast cancer. Such services for this branch of cancer include rides and lodges during treatment, hair loss and mastectomy products, and more, with several offices all around San Francisco.
Be sure to thoroughly peruse each of these organizations' sites to see how you can best support or participate in their various periodic engagements and inclusive activities!
See also: 10 Empowering Organizations To Support During July's Disability Pride Month
Photography by: Angiola Harry/Unsplash
