According to the American Cancer Society, there are now about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Indeed in 2009 the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month will being celebrating its 25th anniversary. I truly hope all readers can play some part in supporting local causes that are fighting this disease.
From a marketing standpoint the month of October will be filled with fundraisers, galas, funwalks and other awareness raising events in which companies and organizations are often asked to show their support through donations of time, resources, and yes promotional items.
Luckily the Ecopreneurist does have green options when it comes to going pink. Here are a few items to think about.
October is a cool, if not cold, month for much of the nation, so why not offer those walkers pink e.c.o. fleece jackets from Ash City?
The Ladies’ Recycled Polyester Fleece Full-Zip Jacket (75% recycled polyester/25% polyester) is a great lightweight jacket, perfect for awareness walks and other outside events. The 4.9 oz jacket has a full zipper, adjustable draw cord at hem, and Ash City’s Ezaway® system features exclusive zipper pulls with easy grip ends and “stylish seam lines for a flattering feminine fit”. At EQP $41.90 with 8K stitches of embroidery, this is a great promo item that is both green and pink.
Another piece of information I find very cool is that QuickPoint is offering to run custom pink versions of their NatureAd corn plastic, made in the USA, cups and mugs, (see video).
As these are custom items – made to order – the runs required are larger at 4,800 units, but higher run mean lower prices and I think these items are another great way to go both pink and green.
With a cost of around $3.89 at 4,800 units – that includes one color imprint on both sides of the mug – the pink Corn Mug Koffee Keg offers a 10.5 oz. capacity and like the standard mug is made in the USA from 100% U.S. corn plastic, is biodegradable, and microwave safe.
These units even have the text Made from 100% U.S. Corn Plastic engraved on the bottom of each mug, so people can identify the mug as eco-friendly.
The more contemporary Pink Corn Plastic EcoLogic Tumbler will run about $4.89 on a pink custom run of 4,800 units. The 18oz Corn Plastic EcoLogic Tumbler is also made from 100% U.S. Corn Plastic, and engraved on the bottom to reflect this fact. Again, neither the pink Corn Mug Koffee Keg or EcoLogic Tumbler appear on the QuickPoint website, or indeed anywhere on the web. The only way to get them is to ask.
Another fun item from Quickpoint – which is also available in pink – is their Awareness Ribbon Cookie Cutter at an EQP of $0.79. I think these are great, I mean what can possibly be more supportive than fresh baked cookies?
The Awareness Ribbon Cookie Cutter is made from QuickPoint’s BioAd Biodegradable plastic and is a common stock item so runs start at just 150 units.
These are only a few of the many pink themed promotional items available to help promote National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Bags, pins, totes, caps, water bottles, etc., there are a host of items out there, many also eco-friendly, that are available to Ecopreneurists wishing to support events and organizations in their community.
If you are interested in these items to promote your own business contact your local promotional items vendor or email info@proformagreen.com for information and pricing.
If you are a promotional items distributor looking for more information on AshCity e.c.o. fleece contact Chris Clark. If you are looking for pink QuickPoint items contact Duane Mayer.
Adventures in Green Marketing 
A very noble cause and an interesting way to raise awareness for the issue. I think what you are doing is really great. It reminds me of the #blamedrewscancer has tag on twitter. Drew is utilizing twitter and social media to drum up support and awareness for cancer. He has also made a lot of friends to give him support!… For an example, see this tweet: http://bit.ly/ganFl
Popular blood pressure drugs have been linked to cancer. These drugs are Angiotensin-receptor blockers such as Diovan, Micardis, Cozaar and Atacand. Talk to your doctor about this if you are taking these medications.