Fit for the Cure coming to Albany to raise breast cancer awareness

ALBANY — Wacoal’s Fit For The Cure initiative is hosting 1,200 regional events this year to benefit community health and breast cancer research, including one Saturday at the Albany Mall.

For every woman fit for a bra at the mall’s Belk store on Saturday, Wacoal is expected to donate $2 to Susan G. Komen to benefit breast cancer research and community health programs. For every Wacoal or b. tempt’d item purchased during the event, Wacoal will donate an additional $2.

The event is meant to make an impact by joining Wacoal in the mission to help end breast cancer.

“Research shows eight of 10 women are wearing the incorrect bra size, making it all the more important to get fit,” officials with Wacoal said in a news release. “By taking less than 15 minutes to meet with a Wacoal fit expert, you are helping to contribute to an important cause.”

Now in its 17th year, Fit for the Cure has raised more than $4.6 million. This fall, Wacoal is expected to reach its goal of fitting 1 million women and donating more than $5 million to Susan G. Komen.

Since 2001, officials said Wacoal has educated more than 790,000 women in 17,000 events across 411 cities in the U.S. and Canada about the importance of bra fit, foundation and overall breast health. There is a guaranteed aggregate minimum donation of $250,000 expected to Komen this year from the effort.

Participants in Fit for the Cure events are also encouraged to partake in Wacoal’s #IGotFit social media campaign. For every woman who shares a photo with the Wacoal “I Got Fit” sign on social media, an additional $1 will be donated to Susan G. Komen.

Wacoal’s involvement in the breast cancer awareness effort began in 1999, which was followed by Fit for the Cure in 2001.

The American Cancer Society reports that, excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women, accounting for 29 percent of newly diagnosed cancers.

Susan G. Komen is one of the largest providers of breast health funding. Aside from medical research, Komen provides support services directly to women and their families dealing with breast cancer. These services include family and personal support in the form of child care and meals, interpretation services, transportation to and from treatment, and patient navigation services for those considering treatment options.