As you know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and thanks to the tireless efforts of friends like you, the American Cancer Society is making significant progress in the fight against the disease. Since 1991, breast cancer death rates have declined more than 20%, due to widespread awareness of the importance of early detection, greater use of mammography, and better treatments.
 
We are proud of our role in this progress. Our support of groundbreaking breast cancer research (more than $271 million since 1972) has yielded treatments like Herceptin and Tamoxifen – two drugs that lower breast cancer recurrence rates. Our aggressive awareness campaigns have led to greater awareness of the need for early detection and greater use of mammography, and our tireless advocacy efforts have ensured quality standards for mammography facilities nationwide.
 
Help Continue to Make Strides Against Breast Cancer

• Join or donate to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the American Cancer Society's premier community event to raise awareness and dollars to fight breast cancer. Find an event near you.
   
• While the news in breast cancer is encouraging for the general population, breast cancer survival rates are much lower among low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women.
   
  Help the American Cancer Society work to eliminate disparities in breast cancer by ensuring that income doesn't determine whether a woman has access to a life-saving mammogram. Find out how you can help.
     
• Every day, elected officials make important decisions that affect the cancer community. Join the Society's efforts to encourage lawmakers to make cancer a priority. Get more information.
     
• Make a donation to support cancer research, education, advocacy, and service. Donate Now.
     
• Find out how to reduce your risk for breast cancer. Sign up for a Mammogram reminder. This interactive tool will send an email message each year reminding you or a woman you love to "Please, schedule your mammogram today."
     
• Find out what's happening in your community.

While we continue to learn all we can about the causes and cures for breast cancer, we're there for those who are diagnosed with the disease today, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our extensive information resources (1-800-ACS-2345 and www.cancer.org) help breast cancer patients and their families make the best, most informed decisions about their care. These resources offer everything from clinical trial matching services to friendly, knowledgeable staff who answer questions, understand concerns, and relay the very latest cancer treatment information. And we connect patients and their loved ones to services in their community that can help inspire their recovery and help them cope with their disease.
 
We truly are saving lives and making strides against breast cancer, and we couldn't do it without you. By continuing to work together to support cutting-edge research, to encouraging lifesaving prevention and early detection, and to offer life-affirming services to people in need, we can all look forward to a future in which breast cancer no longer threatens the people we love.
 
Program Alert
The American Cancer Society is a sponsor of the Lifetime Channel’s “Stop Breast Cancer for Life initiative” and the “Women Rock” concert featuring breast cancer survivor Melissa Etheridge. The concert will air on Lifetime on October 18th at 11 PM EST/PST.