By Erika Wilhelm, Director of Marketing & Communications
This year, we took bold strides toward a healthier, toxic-free future, thanks to the power of advocacy, innovation, and the unwavering support of our community. Together, we achieved incredible milestones that demonstrate the impact of prevention in action. From the historic passage of the Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act in California, to advocating at the highest levels of government for stronger beauty and chemical safety laws, we’ve made significant progress towards protecting people from toxic exposures. We empowered over 1.9 million people through the launch of our Breast Cancer Risk Factor Hub, and we deepened our commitment to beauty justice. Enjoy reading more about these victories below—our collective impact is creating ripples of change that will resonate for years to come.
Legislative Round-up: DEHP, PFAS, & more!
BCPP’s California legislative work has been non-stop this year. We are proud to have developed, co-sponsored, advocated for, and secured passage of the Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act (AB 2300), which bans the toxic phthalate DEHP, and replacement with any other phthalate, from IV bags and tubing. AB 2300 unanimously passed both the Assembly (52-0) and the Senate (40-0). BCPP also cosponsored the Reducing Toxics in Packaging Act (AB276), which would ban toxic PFAS chemicals and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in all packaging, and the Ending Forever Chemicals Act (SB 903), which would ban all uses of PFAS by 2030, unless a use is found to be “essential.” And finally, we actively supported (testified or helped negotiate) three CA bills tackling PFAS ban enforcement (AB 347), PFAS in menstrual products (AB 2515), and bisphenols in children’s products (AB 1266) – all which were signed into law!
Celebrating 20 Years of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
In 2024, we proudly celebrated the 20th anniversary of BCPP’s Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a pioneering initiative that has been instrumental in transforming the safety and transparency of the beauty and personal care products industry. To mark this significant milestone, we organized a special lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., joining forces with leaders in the safer cosmetics and beauty care space. We met with dozens of Senators and Representatives, sharing compelling stories about why the five bills comprising our Safer Beauty Bill Package are crucial for the health of people across America. Plus, we had the incredible opportunity to engage with influential members of the White House, including key figures from the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, Chair Brenda Mallory, and policy advisors from the Council on Environmental Quality, the Office of the Vice President, and the Office of the First Lady.
Toxic-Free IV Campaign
The Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act (AB 2300) )—the first law of its kind in the nation—will ban the manufacture, sale, and use of DEHP from IV bags and tubing. However, it gives industry a long timeframe for the transition even though safer alternatives already exist and are readily available. That’s why BCPP doubled down on our efforts to accelerate this transition by launching our Toxic-Free IV Campaign. We launched this multi-year project by publishing a 22-page report and executive summary; securing eight traditional media features that reached 170 million people through a national PR campaign; engaging 60,000 people across social media; and kick-starting a national hospital pledge to switch to safer alternatives—and have already secured signatures from two health systems!
NEW RESOURCE: Breast Cancer Risk Factors Hub
As part of our mission to prioritize breast cancer prevention, we launched a Breast Cancer Risk Factor Hub featuring 16+ factors impacting breast cancer risk. Each page includes science-based summaries, actionable steps to protect individuals and communities, and advocacy strategies to address systemic barriers. We also developed downloadable fact sheets and videos to amplify our reach across web and social platforms. As of August 2024, our efforts have reached 1.9M women, with 220k engagements, 86k video views, and 26k clicks to risk factor pages.
Furthering Beauty Justice
In 2024, BCPP significantly expanded its beauty justice work, building on our commitment to addressing inequities in the beauty industry. With generous support from the Pham Family Foundation, we launched an in-depth investigation into cosmetic safety concerns within the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Representing a diverse range of cultures and a major share of the beauty market—especially in skincare—the AAPI community faces unique challenges in product safety. Through scientific research, market analysis, and cultural insights, we assessed the safety of beauty and personal care products marketed to AAPI consumers. Our AAPI Beauty Project shares the history of AAPI beauty, our findings, and educational resources, with additional dissemination planned for late 2024 and early 2025.
We also celebrated the growth of our Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project, the first-ever database of safer Black beauty products verified by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC). Updated and expanded in April 2024, the database now features over 100 clean Black beauty brands and 1,463 safer products free of the toxic chemicals on our Red List—substances disproportionately impacting Black women’s health. The project continues to spotlight Black-owned clean beauty companies while offering educational resources, updated content, and training for community ambassadors to further its reach and impact.
Charting Paths to Prevention: A Year of Progress for Community-based Interventions
This year, we reached a major milestone in our Charting Paths to Prevention for Breast Cancer (Charting P2P) project. We traveled across California, holding educational meetings in eight regions to connect with community leaders and understand the issues most pressing to them. In April, we hosted a two-day training for diverse stakeholders where participants co-developed systemic, community-driven solutions to prevent breast cancer. These efforts have strengthened relationships, sparked innovative intervention projects, and laid a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration to create meaningful community-based change.
RELIVE: BCPP’s Luminary Gala
This year’s gala on April 25th was a momentous occasion, highlighting two decades of progress in preventing breast cancer before it starts. We welcomed a sold-out crowd at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco, and the evening honored inspiring luminaries, including Dr. Linda Birnbaum, Hannah Diop & Issa Rae, Kiran Stordalen on behalf of Horst Rechelbacher, and the founding “Mothers” of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics—visionaries whose contributions have shaped our movement. More than a celebration, the event was a powerful call to action, reminding us of the urgency to continue our advocacy, science translation, and education to create a safer, healthier future. Re-experience the Luminary Gala, view the photos, and join them in investing in our future.
Events for Prevention in 2024
This year, hundreds of supporters joined us across the globe, raising hundreds of thousands in critical funds to fuel our mission to prevent breast cancer. We celebrated the 25th anniversary of Climb Against the Odds, where 22 climbers reached their personal summits, including 14 conquering 14,179 feet. Our Sacred Treks series also took a team of dedicated supporters on a breathtaking journey to Machu Picchu, combining adventure with purpose. Closer to home, our National Hike for Prevention expanded to four cities, while other outdoor fundraisers like Bike the Bay, Fishing for the Cause, and the New England Peaks for Prevention brought even more communities together to support our vital work.
BCPP’s Director of Science Becomes Fellow at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health
BCPP’s Director of Science, Dr. Rainbow Rubin, was selected as one of the inaugural Impact Fellows at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. This fellowship is a unique opportunity to collaborate with an incredible community of public health practitioners, policymakers, and changemakers. Together, we will work on innovative projects, shape social impact strategies, and mentor the next generation of public health leaders.
