OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time to recall that breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Singapore.

Non-profit organisation Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) Singapore relies on donations from the public and corporations to fund their outreach and support programmes, which cost up to $1 million annually.

This year, the BCF is partnering with a number of companies to raise funds for breast-cancer sufferers and their relatives. Look out for pins ($5) made for the month-long event, available at retailers islandwide. You can also take a look at other offerings that allow you to shop and support the BCF.

Watsons

For the first time, Watsons Singapore is adopting the BCF as its official charity for the year.

The beauty and health retailer hopes to raise at least $80,000 through its various initiatives. To support the cause, a Pink Shelves Programme has been launched, where 10 cents from every item on pink shelves that is sold will go to the foundation.

The shelves feature products from Neutrogena, Bio-essence, Loreal and Olay, among other household brands. The programme will be on until Nov 17 at 40 selected Watsons stores nationwide, including those at Ngee Ann City, Jurong Point, Tampines Mall, VivoCity, and Centrepoint.

Tangs 

For this whole month, the department retailer will be featuring specially designed pink merchandise, and selling hand-made badges and brooches by Tangs staff.

Look out for Chomel Crystal Flower Brooches (at $39 each). One per cent of the total sales income from pink-inspired crystals will be donated.

Estee Lauder

Estee Lauder, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, La Mer and Origins will be selling limited-edition Pink Ribbon products over the counter this month.

A total of $10 from the sale of each Pink Ribbon product from Estee Lauder, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, and La Mer, will go to the BCF. Ten per cent from the sale of Origins Pink Ribbon products will also be donated.

Look out for Bobbi Brown's Pink Shimmer Brick Compact ($66), perfect for that summer glow with colours for cheeks and lids. Clinique's limited-edition pink lip-trio key ring ($39, pictured), featuring an exclusive Pink Ribbon Heart charm and three minilip favourites, is sure to be a hit.

Also on offer is Creme de la Mer ($420), which will undergo a transformation in a special pink box. You can buy it at Takashimaya, Robinsons The Centrepoint, Robinsons Raffles City, Tangs, OG People's Park and Metro Paragon, among other stores. Please call respective stores for product availability.

Swarovski Crystal

The latest limited-edition Pink Hope Collection from Swarovski Crystal is being unveiled for the first time in Singapore for the breast cancer cause.

All profits from the sales of these special items will go to the BCF. A pinkand- white crystalised Hybrid Pendant is on sale for $190. And a pink Breast Cancer charm is retailing for $100.

The items are sold at three Swarovski boutiques at ION Orchard, Raffles City, and VivoCity.

Pandora Jewellery

Trendy and colourful are this year's pink-leather bracelets ($119) with sterling-silver charms for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Marking five years of support, Pandora is donating 15 per cent of the sales proceeds to breastcancer organisations worldwide.

The leather bracelet comes with two Lucerne flower clips ($69 each) along with last year's popular Breast Cancer medallion ($109). Personal messages or initials can be engraved on the medallion which can slide open and close. The bracelet is available at leading jewellers and retail stores.

Xixili Lingerie

A girl can never have too many pairs of undies. This Malaysian lingerie brand - with a store at #01-131, Suntec City Mall - has specially created a Pink Ribbon bra ($46) and underwear ($19 to $23) collection for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The limitededition collection is full of fun and youth as it is embroidered and adorned with pink ribbons. Ten per cent of proceeds from the collection go to the BCF.

Visit www.bcf.org.sg for more information on the Breast Cancer Foundation and its programmes and activities this month.

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