Think Pink with Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony Initiative

What color do you associate with October? I'm betting you said orange or black. By the time the month is over, I'm hoping you'll add another color to that list: pink.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a disease that has affected many people in my family. My grandmother had it. it was much later when I realized she looked this way because she had had a double mastectomy long before I was born. My aunt had it. I remember taking her sister, my other aunt, shopping at some wig stores so we could find something that looked like her real hair. All my grandmother's sisters, my great-aunts, had it, and so did a good many of their daughters. My dad still reminds me to get mammograms and do self-examinations because so many of my relatives have been affected. My good friend from high school had it. I remember her daring me to feel her reconstructed boobs and asking me whether they felt like the real thing (I did, and they do). My sister's friend from high school died of it. I remember how tall and beautiful she was, and how young she was, and how unfair life was. So many women.

You'd think they'd have found a cure for such a prevalent disease by now, but it continues to elude the best minds in medicine and research. But they haven't, so we have to keep on hoping and helping -- by funding breast cancer research, supporting the companies that fund breast cancer research, and telling everyone we know to do the same.

So for all 31 days in October, I'm blogging about breast cancer awareness. I liveblogged my participation in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, and I'm wearing pink every day in October and blogging about it on Finding Bonggamom. And I've started a series of Pink Posts on this blog, featuring products and companies helping the cause. Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony initiative is one of them.


More about Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony Initiative
This month - Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony initiative, which raises awareness and funds in support of the fight against cancer, celebrates its 10th anniversary. With a focus on breast cancer, Pink Pony supports programs for early diagnosis, education, treatment and research and is dedicated to bringing patient navigation and quality cancer care to medically underserved communities. Ten percent of proceeds from Pink Pony products benefits the Pink Pony Fund. To mark the 10th Anniversary and support this important cause, Ralph Lauren has partnered with chairtybuzz to auction over 200 unique items and experiences from now through October 21st.



I've had the good fortune of being selected as a Ralph Lauren Mombassador blogger, so they sent me some information about the Pink Pony Auction:

OVER 300 UNIQUE, ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCES: TRAVEL, ART, SPORTS, FASHION, CELEBRITY, RARE COLLECTIBLES

100% of the net proceeds will benefit the Pink Pony Fund of The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation

You, too, can lend your support to cancer care and prevention through the Pink Pony Auction, the Give in Style event and Text to Donate. The auction will run from October 2 to 21 and offers the unique opportunity to bid on art, luxury travel, couture and once-in-a-lifetime experiences generously donated by Ralph Lauren and his closest circle of celebrity friends, with 100% of the proceeds going to cancer care and prevention. When you Give in Style, you’ll save 25% off your purchase on RalphLauren.com, and we’ll donate 10% to the Pink Pony Fund. Or, simply text PINKPONY to 501501 to instantly donate $10.


There are some amazing items up for auction, including:

Celebrity encounters:
* a tour of CNN studio with Anderson Cooper
* lunch with Martha Stewart
* a bike ride with Lance Armstrong

Fashion items:
* The Ultimate Ralph Lauren Handbag
* A custom-tailored women's suit
* A leather jacket signed by Ralph Lauren

Kids and family:
a children's birthday party at the Ralph Lauren Headquarters
a family portrait by a Ralph Lauren photographer
a chance for your child to star in a Ralph Lauren ad

Travel:
* A weekend at Ralph Lauren's Jamaica villa
* Five nights at Donna Karan's Turks and Caicos retreat
* VIP tickets to the 2012 Olympic Games


And soooo many more. The bid prices are way out of my league, but if you can afford it, it's a wonderful way to nab something fabulous and fun, and do some good at the same time.

Disclosure:I am a participant in a Mom Central Consulting campaign for Ralph Lauren and have received various Ralph Lauren products as part of my participation. Product information is provided by Ralph Lauren and Mom Central, and is clearly indicated as such. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.