Organizations everywhere are kicking off month-long breast cancer awareness programs.

At least half of you know someone who has or had breast cancer. Whether a mom,  aunt, grandmother, neighbor, or family friend, breast cancer strikes over 200,000 women a year.

Fortunately, with early detection, there are many different treatment options available. And every year new research improves cancer care. If you’re young, you may not think breast cancer will affect you. But your youth and energy makes you an invaluable tool in the fight against the disease.

You can help this month and all year by working with various programs in your  community.

• If you surf or snowboard, check out Boarding  for Breast Cancer.
• If you’re a runner, jogger or walker, Susan  B. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure events take place all year.
• Climbers, bicyclists and paddlers can join those who have climbed, biked, and kayaked at Against the Odds events.
• Beats For Boobs will honor its eighth year of uniting thousands of people in a collaborative celebration of art, fashion, food and music. Events in San Fran, Seattle and LA.

These are just a few of the fun ways you can use your athleticism to support cancer patients, survivors, friends and family. Help out if you can.

Check Yourself
Just a friendly reminder to do your monthly breast self-exam (BSE)! If you don’t know how to do a BSE, click here to learn!

Early Detection
American Cancer Society recommends performing a self breast exam starting at the age of 20. For more information on the importance of early detection and screening tips, visit National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Army of Women
The Love/Avon Army of Women is recruiting one million healthy women of every age and ethnicity to partner with breast cancer researchers and directly participate in the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all. Join the Army of Women.

Other Resources
Kids Konnected provides friendship, understanding, education, and support for the children who have a parent with cancer, or have lost a parent to cancer.

Keep-a-Breast is a unique non-profit organization creating plaster forms of the female torso, customized by fine artists and auctioned to raise funding for breast cancer.

Breast Friends for Life aims to improve and strengthen the mental and emotional well-being of young women living with breast cancer.

The Young Survival Coalition is a foundation created to support young women battling breast cancer.