As is the case with many other causes, breast cancer awareness is spread through organizations, observances, and events.  With this multi-pronged attack, breast cancer awareness has become part of the fabric of society, instilling hope, spreading knowledge, and increasing community participation.

There are hundreds of institutions and events created for the sole purpose of spreading breast cancer awareness.  Here are a select few that are fighting the fight through peaceful demonstrations, public fundraisers, and professional advocacy:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Often referred to as simply Komen, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is an organization that is committed to support breast cancer research.  It stands as the largest breast cancer charity in the world, and is considered the leading voice in breast cancer awareness, research, and health services.  It has raised over $1.3 billion since its inception in 1982, and has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator- four stars.

Komen raises over $35 million a year through their many fundraising efforts, ranging from partnerships with corporations such as American Airlines and Yoplait, to their many fundraising events.  For example, Komen Race for the Cure is several 5-kilometer races that raises money and awareness as well as paying tribute to those who have died from breast cancer.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated in October.  Its website stands as a year-round resource providing information to anybody seeking information regarding the disease.  National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an effort of an organization made up of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies that promotes breast cancer awareness, educates the public, and increases access to screening services.  This year, 2009, is the 25th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Pink for October

The growing dominance of the Internet has led to the "Pink for October" initiative, which has websites and blogs "turn their site pink."  Changing websites to a pink color is done purely for awareness and education, and not fundraising.  In 2008, approximately 15,000 sites turned "pink."

Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week

While breast cancer primarily affects women, 450 men die from male breast cancer every year.  Additionally, the lack of awareness for male breast cancer causes a higher percentage of men to be diagnosed in a later stage.  Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week was created by Out of the Shadow of Pink, The Brandon Greening Foundation, and Herb Wagner of A Man's Pink.  The week takes places on the third week of October and primarily raises awareness for male breast cancer.

National Breast Cancer Foundation

The National Breast Cancer Foundation was created to spread knowledge, foster hope, and provide health services for breast cancer.  The National Breast Cancer Foundation funds free mammograms for women who can not afford them, as a part of their commitment to early detection and breast cancer awareness.  The Foundation also focuses its efforts on education, support services, and diagnostic breast care services.

As an example, the National Breast Cancer Foundation hosts the Pink Ribbon Challenge® every year in October.  The Challenge uses a combination of radio stations and syndicated programs, celebrity support, and listeners to raise funds for free mammograms.  The initiative raises money through its listeners, who then click on a button on the The Breast Cancer Site that leads to monetary contributions.

National Breast Cancer Coalition

The National Breast Cancer Coalition was created in 1991, training advocates to fight at all levels for the benefit of breast cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment.  With hundreds or member organizations and tens of thousands of individual members, the Coalition fights for increased federal funding for research, as well as improving access to high-quality health care and breast cancer clinical trials.

Awareness for breast cancer is of utmost importance, considering that early detection is the best way to fight the disease.  With hundreds of different organizations, events and initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, funds, and research, sufferers of breast cancer have a network that delivers hope when life is seemingly hopeless.