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Keep a Breast Foundation

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The Keep a Breast Foundation (KAB) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on breast cancer prevention, education, and early detection, based in Yucca Valley, California, United States.

Keep a Breast Foundation
AbbreviationKAB
Formation2000
FounderShaney Jo Darden
Mona Mukherjea-Gehrig
Founded atLos Angeles, California, United States
TypeNonprofit
13-4286549
Purposebreast cancer prevention & education
HeadquartersYucca Valley, California, United States
Websitekeep-a-breast.org

Founding

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The organization was co-founded by Shaney Jo Darden and Mona Mukherjea-Gehrig in 2000.[1][2]

Mukherjea-Gehrig relocated to California from Berlin, Germany, in 1994.[3] Darden grew up in Southern California.[3] In 1998, Darden and Mukherjea-Gehrig organized art and fashion events showcasing the work of friends, coworkers, and local kids from the action sports scene, expanding to include street artists, fine artists, and graphic designers. When a friend of Darden's was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, Darden and Mukherjea-Gehrig "decided to stick with Modart's model of bringing people together through progressive art."[3]

In 2000, the founders developed a technique for creating breast casts that could be customized by artists. The first breast cast auction was in the same year.[4] Some past breast cast exhibitions include: Tokyo LOVE show,[5] Keep a Breast PDX,[6] American Rag X LAB Art,[7] Bare Minerals,[8] Bordeaux Love,[9] and Snow Show.[10]

Keep a Breast Foundation officially received nonprofit status in 2005. In 2008, Darden quit her job to focus on the Keep a Breast Foundation full-time. Darden moved the foundation out of her home, and into an office in Carlsbad, California.[11]

Current educational programs

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The Check Yourself program creates and distributes breast health education through printed materials, blogs, and the Check Yourself! App.[12] Its primary focus is raising awareness regarding the importance of monthly breast self-examinations.[12][13]

The Treasured Chest program supports women diagnosed with breast cancer or testing positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene with an opportunity to create their own breast cast. TCP kits have been sent out everywhere in the United States, with a large portion of them having gone out to women under the age of 40.[14]

The Non-Toxic Revolution (NTR) program's mission is to inform, educate, and inspire young people to revolt against the dangers of toxic chemicals in their environment and food supply, especially those linked to the development of breast cancer.[15][16]

Prevention and education campaigns

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I love boobies!

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In 2008, KAB released their "I love boobies!" shame-free breast awareness message. This message was designed to take a positive approach to breast cancer dialogue. It particularly resonates with young people and encourages them to be open and active about breast cancer prevention.

"I love boobies!" is focused on sparking dialog among young people about breast cancer and breast health. Many different kinds of "I love boobies!" merchandise have been made to further this cause, and revenues from this merchandise fund KAB programs and campaigns, broaden its reach, and in the past, provide grant money supporting important studies.[17]

School controversy

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The "I love boobies!" bracelets were created by the Keep a Breast Foundation in 2004. The foundation sold one-inch wide silicone rubber bracelets emblazoned with the slogan "i ♥ boobies! (Keep a Breast)" to raise money and encourage conversations about breast cancer among young people. The foundation's marketing manager, Kimmy McAtee, described the slogan as "[speaking] to young people in their own voice about a subject that's very scary and taboo."[18]

As the bracelets became a fashion craze among teenagers, many school districts began to ban the wearing of these bracelets as the slogan conflicted with school dress codes which prohibit the wearing of any item that includes sexually explicit language or pictures.[19][20][21]

A dispute over the school bannings reached the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. A panel of three judges heard the case, which was then re-heard by all 14 judges en banc.[22][23] The court ruled 9–5 that the school's ban on the bracelets violated the students' right to free speech because the bracelets were not plainly offensive or disruptive and were speech conducted to raise awareness of a social issue.[24][25] The U.S. Supreme Court later declined to take up the case.[23] In 2011, co-founder Shaney Jo Darden gave a TEDx talk regarding KAB and the "I love boobies!" bracelet controversy.[26]

Current and past campaigns

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The "DIY Action" campaign was created for people who wish to start their own fundraiser benefiting KAB. The organization provides educational materials and awareness merchandise, and the events range anywhere from skateboarding and music events, to cook-offs and birthday parties.[27]

The "#checkyourselfie" campaign was created to share the message of breast self-checks with friends and followers via social media platforms. It is meant to encourage people to download the free KAB Check Yourself! app, which explains how to do a self-check and lets users set a monthly reminder for future checks.[28][29]

"Fit 4 Prevention" is a national movement to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention through fitness and wellness. The goal of F4P is to inspire people to reduce their risk of cancer by adopting a healthier, more active lifestyle.[30]

"Imagine If..." was a support program intended for young people to share their feelings concerning what the world would be like if there were no cancer. It was part of the Keep a Breast Traveling Education Booth and traveled on music tours, festivals, and events around the world. Participants wrote down their responses on a small whiteboard, took photos with their "Imagine If..." responses, and then shared the photos on the internet and social media.[31]

The "This is My Story" campaign gave people a chance to share the impact breast cancer had on their lives through writing or video. Videos and written testimonies were shared on KAB's YouTube Channel, website, and social media platforms.[32]

Partnerships

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KAB has partnered with Rastaclat,[33] HUF,[34] True&Co.,[35] Valiant Entertainment,[36] and S.W. Basics,[37] among others. Some of their partnerships are specifically intended for the month of October, which KAB refers to as Breast Cancer Prevention Month. Partnerships have included product collaborations, outreach, advertising, special events, and promotions.[38]

On October 1, 2019, Thrive Causemetics donated their profits to Keep a Breast Foundation. Thrive Causemetics also committed to donating $5 for social media image reposts with the hashtag #thrivecausemetics for the rest of the month of October.[39][40]

Warped Tour

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In 2001, Keep a Breast Foundation went on Vans Warped Tour. KAB continued to participate through the last Vans Warped Tour in 2018.[41] On the tour, KAB had a tent filled with educational materials and merchandise, as well as volunteers and employees to help educate and provide support for anyone interested.[42] KAB participated in several collaborations featuring artists from the Warped Tour, including Check Yourself! Vol 1 and Music for Boobies.[43]

Global

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The Keep a Breast Foundation has had affiliates in Japan, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Chile.[44] KAB Europe has a headquarters in Bordeaux, France,[45] which was developed by the global CEO, Lorene Carpentier.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Our Story". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  2. ^ "Charity Navigator - Rating for Keep A Breast Foundation". www.charitynavigator.org. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Team". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  4. ^ "Our Work". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  5. ^ Pesce, Jeanine (May 30, 2012). "Keep a Breast : Tokyo LOVE Show". WGSN Insider. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  6. ^ McCann, Fiona (September 29, 2016). "Portland Breast Cancer Survivors Lend Their Bodies for Art". Portland Monthly. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  7. ^ "American Rag and LAB Art Present "Keep a Breast"". Getty Images. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  8. ^ "Bare Minerals". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  9. ^ "Bordeaux Love". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  10. ^ "Snow Show". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  11. ^ Rowe, Peter (October 17, 2011). "Shaney Jo Darden: the force behind 'boobies'". San Diego Tribune. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Check Yourself". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  13. ^ Brown, Ken. "Breast Self-Exam Guidelines: Johns Hopkins Breast Center". www.hopkinsmedicine.org. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  14. ^ "Treasured Chest". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  15. ^ "Mission". Non Toxic Revolution. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  16. ^ "Non Toxic Revolution Exhibition at the Montauk Beach House". Hamptons Magazine. August 22, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  17. ^ "I Love Boobies". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  18. ^ Johnson, Alex; Stinchfield, Grant (November 15, 2010). "'I ♥ boobies' charity wrestles with sudden spell of success". NBC News. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  19. ^ "Boobie Bracelets Spark Controversy". CBC News. September 8, 2011.
  20. ^ Coombe, Tom (September 2, 2011). "Student Journalist Group Joins Easton Bracelet Fight". Easton Patch. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  21. ^ Martin, Jeff. "Schools Ban Bracelets Promoting Cancer Awareness". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  22. ^ Spencer, Saranac Hale (February 21, 2013). "'I ♥ Boobies' Case Heard En Banc by Third Circuit". Law. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  23. ^ a b Bomboy, Scott (March 10, 2014). "Update: How the "Boobies" case almost made it to the Supreme Court". National Constitution Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  24. ^ Hall, Peter; Marcus, Samantha (August 5, 2013). "Federal court strikes down 'I love boobies' ban". The Morning Call. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  25. ^ Khorasanee, Gabriella (August 7, 2013). "'I Heart Boobies' Campaign Protected Student Speech, Says 3rd Cir". Find Law. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  26. ^ "Speakers and Performers @TEDxSanDiego 2011 - The World in Our Grasp". Ted X San Diego. 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  27. ^ "Start a DIY Fundraiser". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  28. ^ Aldridge, Kristen (September 30, 2014). "This Woman Is Spreading Breast Cancer Awareness Through Selfies". Shape Magazine. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  29. ^ Bradstreet, Kailee (October 9, 2014). "Keep a Breast #CheckYourSelfie Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign". Adventure Sports Network. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  30. ^ "The Movement Starts With You". Keep a Breast Fit 4 Prevention. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  31. ^ "Imagine If". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  32. ^ "This is My Story". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  33. ^ "#BandingTogether for The Keep a Breast Foundation". Rastaclat. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  34. ^ "HUF x KEEP A BREAST COLLABORATION // BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 2015". HUF Worldwide. October 1, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  35. ^ "#WCW: Shaney Jo Darden, The Keep a Breast Foundation". True and Co. March 14, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  36. ^ "Valiant's 'Faith' Launching Breast Cancer Awareness Partnership at New York Comic Con". The Hollywood Reporter. September 20, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  37. ^ "Certifiably Awesome: Shaney Jo Darden, Keep a Breast Foundation". S.W. Basics. October 3, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  38. ^ "Partners". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  39. ^ DeMelo, Juno (October 2, 2019). "What to Buy If You Want Your Cash to Go to Breast Cancer Charities". Glamour. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  40. ^ "Thrive Causemetics Donates 100% of Profits to Keep a Breast on October 1". Thrive Causemetics. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  41. ^ "Dickies Girl and Jenna McDougall from Tonight Alive are teaming up for Breast Cancer Prevention on the Vans Warped Tour". The Keep a Breast Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  42. ^ Steussy, Lauren (August 20, 2008). "Warped Tour Gets Busty". San Diego Magazine. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  43. ^ "Keep a Breast releases Music For Boobies compilation, ft. Sleeping With Sirens, Simple Plan, more". Alternative Press. March 18, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  44. ^ "Introducing: #CHECKYOURSELFIE; Keep a Breast Foundation Launches Selfless Selfies, A New Global Campaign For Young People". The Keep a Breast Foundation. September 26, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  45. ^ "Notre Histoire". The Keep a Breast Foundation (in French). Retrieved November 2, 2018.
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