By Erika Wilhelm, Director of Marketing & Communications
In this mid-year impact report, we relive several signature programmatic and outdoor events; touch on current and upcoming advocacy initiatives; and share a brand-new resource hub of non-toxic DIY recipes for beauty, cleaning, and family crafts. Thank you for supporting these major steps and accomplishments.
Toxic Free IVs
Over a decade ago, BCPP helped champion both California and federal laws that banned phthalates like DEHP, a cancer-causing chemical, from kids’ toys like rubber duckies and cosmetics. And yet, this same chemical is still used to make IV bags and tubing flexible. It can leach into medicine and other fluids being transfused into patients and create drug resistance. It’s even worse for breast cancer patients, because DEHP makes cancer cells immortal – reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy and making breast cancer patients sicker and more likely to die.
BCPP is once again leading the charge to reduce exposure to this highly toxic chemical by championing AB2300, the Toxic-Free Medical Device Act, which would ban DEHP in IV bags and tubing sold in California. The good news is that DEHP-free IV bags and tubing exist and are currently being used by major healthcare systems like Kaiser Permanente. However, industry bad actors like Baxter, who controls 70% of the national market share, continue to lobby aggressively for a decade-long delay on AB2300. Join us and urge your legislator to support the Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act.
New Report Out!
We also launched a new national campaign to advocate for DEHP-free IVs because this issue impacts everyone across the nation. Check out our new landing page, executive summary, and full report on DEHP in IV bags and tubing. Stay tuned for our citizen petition, which is coming soon…
RELIVE: BCPP’s Luminary Gala
On April 25th, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a cornerstone initiative that has significantly pushed our mission forward, with a gala affair. That evening we reminisced on two decades of live-saving work and celebrated 16 visionaries that helped pave the way for safer cosmetics. We welcomed a sold-out evening of 320 guests at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco, who raised $420,000 to support the future of BCPP’s work. Re-experience the Luminary Gala, view the photos, and join them in investing in our future.
RECAP: Business Leaders Join D.C. Lobby Day
This summer, BCPP and six of our clean beauty industry partners traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for your health and for safer beauty laws. On July 9th, we met with dozens of Senators and Representatives, sharing our stories on why the five bills that make up our Safer Beauty Bill Package matter for the health of people across America. On July 10th we had the incredible opportunity to meet with influential members of the White House, including key players of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, chair Brenda Mallory and policy advisors for the Committee on Environmental Quality, Office of the Vice President, and Office of the First Lady. Our engaging conversations focused on:
- More funding for PRIMARY prevention.
- The critical need for more research on and funding for the environmental causes of breast cancer. Stronger cosmetic safety legislation can be a game-changer in driving this research forward.
- An increase in collaborative public health education awareness, regulatory changes, and policy changes to protect the health of our people and planet from toxic chemicals.
- Leveraging the wisdom and experience of BCPP and our leading beauty CEOs that the White House can call upon and rely on as trusted experts.
- Reducing health disparities in research and preventing diseases that disproportionately affect women of color.
- Establishing an interagency council to facilitate toxic chemical data sharing and collaboration across government entities.
We are incredibly grateful for the time and attention granted by these important officials and their commitment to making beauty safer for all.
NEW RESOURCES: Safer DIY Recipes & BCPP and CSC Brand Videos
With over 42,000 chemicals currently used in U.S. manufacturing – and only a handful banned by the EPA – it can be hard to shop for non-toxic consumer products. While safer options do exist, sometimes it may be easier (and more fun) to create your own. We created a resource hub of 25 DIY toxic-free recipes for the public, covering body and bath, skincare, haircare, cleaning products, and family crafts. View the DIY Recipes resource hub.
As we reflected on over 30 years of impactful work, we also decided it was time for a new mission video for Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and a programmatic video for our Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, covering who we are, what we’ve accomplished, and what we plan to do as we step into the next decade. Check them out below!
BCPP Heads to Chicago: Environmental Health & Advocacy Training
On September 26th, BCPP will be heading to Illinois to provide an environmental health and advocacy training for patients and community members in the Chicago area. Over the years – and especially through our project Charting Paths to Prevention – we’ve increasingly heard the desire from impacted communities for more information on how their environmental exposures are linked to breast cancer and tools they can use to advocate for their health. The training will include general education on breast cancer, a listening session to understand community priorities, hands-on advocacy training on the legislative process, and strategic discussions on next steps and resources.
UC Berkeley Public Health Selects BCPP’s Dr. Rainbow Rubin as Innagural Impact Fellow
BCPP’s Director of Science, Dr. Rainbow Rubin, has been 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. Join us in celebrating this milestone, and stay tuned for updates on our journey to improve population health and drive meaningful change.
Partnering with Mujeres en Accion
This past quarter, we had the opportunity to work with Mujeres en Accion, a Domestic Labor community organization that is working on state legislation on occupational protections for domestic workers. BCPP science supported Mujeres en Accion to expand the administration’s occupational safety standard from language that would only protect them from regulated carcinogens to language that would protect them from carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxics, an umbrella group including multiple chemical groups aimed at eliminating hazardous compounds in household use.
Science Spotlight: New Study on Air Pollution
Few studies have examined breast cancer risk from air toxics among urban, diverse communities. A recent University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) study examining 16 hazardous chemicals in air pollution in the Los Angeles area found that LA women face unsafe levels of exposure to hazardous air pollutants, and women of color bear a disproportionate breast cancer burden from exposure. Visit our new resource that dives into the key insights from this important air pollution study.
Firefighters & Breast Cancer
Women are not included in most studies of firefighters’ health. In our literature review on firefighters and cancer, only 3 out of 20 studies evaluated women firefighters’ cancer risk. Based on what we know from the few studies of women firefighters, cancer incidence appears elevated. Check out our new resource on women firefighters and breast cancer.
Climb Against the Odds 2024
This year we also celebrated the 25th anniversary of our signature mountaineering expedition, Climb Against the Odds. All 22 climbers reached their personal summit, with 14 climbers reaching 14,179 feet. With the support of their families, friends, fellow climbers, and BCPP, this team of warriors raised $220,000 (and counting!) to advance BCPP’s bold mission! Every dollar donated powers our vital work in eliminating the environmental causes of breast cancer. Read about their journey.
SIGN UP: Hike for Prevention in Your Area
Our National Hike for Prevention is expanding! This fall, join a Hike for Prevention in your area hike and support breast cancer prevention. Want to launch your own local event? Learn how to become a H4P ambassador.
- Salt Lake City, Utah: September 7th
- Tyler, Texas: October 5th
- Portland, Oregon: October 12th
- Pacifica, California: October 19th
Save the Dates!
Can’t make it to a Hike for Prevention? Check out these other opportunities to get outdoors with BCPP:
- Bike the Bay, San Diego: Combine you passion for cycling and breast cancer prevention and ride through a scenic 25-mile ride around San Diego Bay. August 25th
- Fishing for the Cause: The 4th annual fishing two-day event at Poseidon Brewing Co. and Channel Islands Harbor, hosted by BCPP-supporter Amy Ana. August 17th and 25th
- New England Peaks for Prevention: Join BCPP’s 3-day east coast mountaineering expedition this fall and climb New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington. September 6th -8th
Science Corner: What’s in Your Period Products?
A recent UC Berkeley study detected concentrations of several toxic metals, including lead, cadmium, and arsenic in tampons. Concentrations of cadmium and lead were lower in organic tampons compared to non-organic tampons, while concentrations of arsenic were higher in organic tampons compared to non-organic tampons. Though concentrations varied by purchased area, organic vs. non-organic, and store vs. brand-name, ALL tested tampons contained lead, which has no safe exposure level. First study to measure toxic metals in tampons shows arsenic and lead, among other contaminants.
More research into period products is needed, but in the meantime, consider using silicone-based products instead, which are the safest because silicone shows low levels of estrogenicity. Or opt for PFAS-free period underwear. If you do use pads/tampons, make sure to avoid scented ones, try to find 100% organic cotton varieties that are unbleached or use chlorine-free bleach, and plastic free applicators/packaging.
Help sustain our work!
We are a 501c3 nonprofit funded by people like you. You make this lifesaving work possible. Please give generously today so we can continue to push prevention forward, together.
