Welcome to October, known as Breast Cancer PREVENTION Month at BCPP!
While October is often synonymous with pink ribbons and awareness campaigns, thanks to your support, we at BCPP focus on a powerful truth: most breast cancer is preventable. With less than 10% of cases linked to family history, the vast majority stem from environmental and lifestyle factors that can be changed. That’s why we work tirelessly to eliminate the toxic exposures and risk factors that cause breast cancer—saving lives by preventing the disease before it starts.
This quarter brought remarkable victories in our fight for prevention. From groundbreaking legislative efforts to inspiring community stories, your support is driving real change. Help us spread the word this October.
MAJOR VICTORY: Baxter International Commits to DEHP-Free IVs Nationwide
This year, our Toxic-Free IV Campaign achieved a stunning national victory, proving that California’s leadership drives change far beyond our borders.
Building on our landmark 2024 California law banning DEHP (a harmful phthalate) in IV bags and tubes, we launched a strategic, multi-state campaign to pressure Baxter International—the nation’s largest IV supplier—to eliminate toxic PVC plastic from its products.
Our approach was multi-pronged: First, we met directly with Baxter’s executive leadership in May, presenting evidence of PVC’s lifecycle harm and challenging their claims about “customer preference.” While they initially defended their practices, we established ongoing dialogue. Second, we mobilized partners in five states—North Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Illinois—to introduce legislation similar to or stronger than California’s law. North Carolina’s governor signed a DEHP ban in July, while Massachusetts and New York introduced bills; New York’s bill banned both DEHP and PVC. And finally, we mobilized hospitals and nurses to generate market demand for safer IVs. This multi-pronged strategy resulted in a major public health win! On August 14th, Baxter announced it will eliminate DEHP from IVs nationwide by 2030.
This victory validates our theory of change: strategic California legislation combined with targeted corporate pressure creates ripple effects that transform entire industries nationally. With laws in two states, active campaigns in four others, and Baxter’s commitment, we’re accelerating industry-wide transformation toward safer alternatives.
California Bills Update: Governor Setbacks After Legislative Victories
Two of our three priority California bills achieved legislative success before reaching Governor Newsom’s desk, where we mobilized urgent advocacy for their passage.
The Protecting Californians from Toxic Plastic Microbeads Act (AB 823) would ban intentionally added microplastics used for abrasive purposes in leave-on personal care products and cleaning products. Scientists are finding alarming levels of microplastics in human bodies, including the brain. This first-in-the-nation ban passed the Senate unanimously (39-0) and would prevent trillions of toxic plastic particles from entering our bodies and environment.
The Phasing Out Unnecessary Uses of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Act (SB 682) would ban unnecessary PFAS in cleaning products, dental floss, juvenile products, food packaging, and ski wax by 2028, and in cookware by 2030. These persistent chemicals accumulate in our bodies and have been linked to multiple cancers, including breast cancer.
Governor Newsom vetoed both bills on October 11 and 13. Despite their bipartisan support and strong backing from public health advocates, both common-sense protections were rejected. Read our comprehensive public response to address the administration’s rationale and chart our path forward.
Our third bill, The Safer Food Packaging Act (AB 1148), which would ban phthalates and bisphenols in food packaging, has become a two-year bill. While we faced strong industry opposition this year, we’re building a broader coalition for success in 2026.
Hiking for Prevention: Milestones and Memories
This quarter, hundreds of people across the country took bold steps—literally—to fundraise for breast cancer prevention.
Our East Coast premier event, New England Peaks for Prevention, brought together a passionate community determined to make breast cancer prevention a reality. Despite fog, chilly temperatures, and approaching thunderstorms, climbers summited Mt. Washington (one of the highest peaks east of the Mississippi!) and returned with full hearts and unforgettable stories. Together, they’ve raised over $100,000 this year, pushing NEPP past the $1,000,000 mark since the event began 12 years ago! Support their milestone climb.
Our 30th anniversary of Hike for Prevention also wrapped up beautifully—over 200 hikers representing 13 states raised $134,000 and counting for prevention. View photos and help us reach our $150,000 goal.
One more chance to hit the trails with BCPP! We’re back in Marin County, Calif., for our Hike for Prevention in Mill Valley on Saturday, October 25. Learn more and register.
30 Years of Love, Loss, and Action: Kaki’ Story
Alongside celebrating our 30th anniversary Hike for Prevention, we honored longtime hiker, fundraiser, and advocate Kaki Saxon-Moyce, whose dedication embodies the heart of our movement.
Nearly 30 years ago, Kaki transformed heartbreak into action. After losing her sister Emily to breast cancer at just 35 years old, Kaki created and led “Team Em the Gem” to hike for prevention in Emily’s memory.
Team Em the Gem is the only team that has participated in all 30 annual hikes, with teams ranging from 8 to 62 members. Over three decades, they’ve raised over $260,000 for breast cancer prevention and inspired countless others to join the movement. Kaki’s unwavering commitment reminds us why this work matters: every hike, every dollar, every conversation brings us closer to a world where no one loses a loved one to a preventable disease. Read Kaki’s full story.
NEW Major Projects: Advancing Breast Cancer Prevention Through Research and Community
This September, BCPP secured two major, multi-year grants from the California Breast Cancer Research Program to make significant strides in breast cancer prevention:
BLOOM: Breast Cancer Risk Literacy & Outreach for Organized Farmworker Mobilization seeks to improve environmental health literacy and empower farmworker women to reduce their breast cancer risk. This partnership brings together Líderes Campesinas (farmworker community organization), California Nurses for Environmental Health & Justice (health experts), BCPP (advocates), and UC San Diego (researchers) to develop, implement, and evaluate culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials. This project will provide critical health education while strengthening advocacy skills, empowering farmworkers to push for stronger workplace and environmental protections.
Project TERI: Addressing Well Water Contaminants via Novel Testing and Exposure Reduction Interventions tackles water contamination in underserved California regions—a high-priority theme identified in our predecessor project, Charting Paths to Prevention. BCPP will collaborate with Community Water Center to address contaminants, including PFAS, 1,2,3-TCP, DEHP, and emerging mammary gland carcinogens. After assessing each community’s specific water issues, we’ll partner with Community Water Center, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, policymakers, health practitioners, and stakeholders to develop comprehensive strategies for water monitoring, filtration systems, community education, and state-level cleanup efforts.
Both projects represent BCPP’s commitment to environmental justice and our understanding that breast cancer prevention must address the root causes of exposure—particularly for communities bearing disproportionate toxic burdens.
BCPP’s Luminary Gala: Tickets Now Available!
Join us on April 23, 2026, for BCPP’s Luminary Gala—an elegant evening celebrating the power of prevention and the extraordinary community making it possible.
Following our sold-out galas in 2024 and 2025, we’re moving to a new, larger venue to accommodate our growing community of supporters. The evening will feature inspiring stories of impact, updates on our groundbreaking work, and opportunities to connect with fellow advocates, scientists, and changemakers who share our vision of a world free from preventable breast cancer.
Tickets and sponsorships are now available. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to BCPP, this is an evening you won’t want to miss. Secure your place at this premier San Francisco event today. Purchase tickets and learn about sponsorship opportunities.
This quarter’s achievements—from Baxter’s nationwide commitment to eliminate DEHP, to legislative victories in California and beyond, plus inspiring community stories like Kaki’s—demonstrate what’s possible when passionate advocates, strategic policy work, and dedicated funders unite for prevention.
As we celebrate these wins, we remain clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. Industry opposition is intensifying. Legislative turnover requires constant education. But with your continued support, we’re building unstoppable momentum toward a world free from preventable breast cancer.
Thank you for believing in this crucial work and for standing with us in the fight for prevention. Together, we’re not just raising awareness—we’re creating lasting change.
