This week, one of my best friends was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. I was with her a couple of days ago, and she told me feel the lump, so I would know what to look for when I do my monthly self-exams. She is a beautiful woman with two kids and a devoted husband, who missed just one mammogram due to another health condition. ONE MAMMOGRAM. It could have detected the cancer months ago, and early detection is so important. It’s the first time someone so close to me has been afflicted with this terrible disease, and as frightened as I am for her– I’m confident she will get through this; she is strong and surrounded by loving family and friends.

I hope you all get regular mammograms by the time you turn 40 and perform self-exams, as well. Another way to support the fight for a cure is to opt for products that donate to the effort. Every little bit counts.

This October, when you buy Arcona’s Magic Pink Ice (at Arcona for $38), a deeply restorative daily moisturizing gel, 25% of the profits go to Cancer and Careers, a organization that empowers working people dealing with cancer. Similarly, Estée Lauder donates 20% of the price of their Perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting/Firming Serum (at Saks Fifth Avenue for $95) to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation; and each bottle also comes with a Pink Ribbon keychain.