Just one day after her public announcement to cease her cancer treatments, Elizabeth Edwards passed away peacefully at the family Chapel Hill, North Carolina surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, December 7, 2010. In the statement released yesterday, it was reported that doctors thought she may have only weeks to live, but she was clearly ready to move on much sooner than that. May she rest in peace.

Elizabeth Edwards was first diagnosed with breast cancer the fall of 2004, and it spread to to the rest of her body, metastasizing to her bones, despite several courses of treatments in the last six years.

Today, rather than remember the survivors of breast cancer, let’s wear our pink ribbon awareness bracelets & other pink products in honor of those like Elizabeth Edwards, who bravely battled breast cancer, but ultimately succumbed to the disease.

Elizabeth Edwards’ journey of Resilience, grace and dignity has been well profiled in the mainstream media of late. We all know the story. Today, she announced her decision to end treatment of  metastatic Stage IV breast cancer that she was first diagnosed with in the fall of 2004, during her estranged husbands (John Edwards) failed campaign for the presidency.

Today, she has rewritten her own story yet again – by opting for control over the disease in one final act of resilience, in choosing to cease treatment for her terminal battle with breast cancer. On her facebook page, she posted:

“You all know that I have been sustained throughout my life by three saving graces – my family, my friends, and a faith in the power of resilience and hope. These graces have carried me through difficult times and they have brought more joy to the good times than I ever could have imagined. The days of our lives, for all of us, are numbered. We know that. And, yes, there are certainly times when we aren’t able to muster as much strength and patience as we would like. It’s called being human.

“But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that I am grateful. It isn’t possible to put into words the love and gratitude I feel to everyone who has and continues to support and inspire me every day. To you I simply say: you know.”

Having been through this several times with cancer in my own family, I applaud Elizabeth for her openness, and her continued bravery throughout her breast cancer – and this is perhaps the bravest moment of her very public battles and tragedies so far – I hope that she and her family finally find peace in this part of the journey, and make the most of the moments together to last a lifetime.

In an episode of the Nate Berkus Show, which aired last week (December 2, 2010) – Elizabeth Edwards shared her very personal story and a tour of her North Carolina home with the interior designer, she appeared to be upbeat and feeling reasonably well in the pre-taped portion of the interview. Later in the episode, Edwards appeared via satellite, looking much more frail, and had noted that the cancer treatments had been taking a lot out of her, including of course, her hair. But as anyone who has been through this process knows, you could almost tell a shift was happening in her battle against breast cancer.

Screenshot of Elizabeth Edwards appearance

Still, Elizabeth Edwards was as charming and graceful as ever, sharing both personal thoughts and laughter, as well as a few bargain hunting tips, giving a true look at the person she is.

British model and actress Elizabeth Hurley continues to amaze us with her dedication to all things related to raising awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Research foundation!  This time, Elizabeth Hurley has teamed up with the luxury retailer, www.AspinalofLondon.com, to introduce a very special pink ribbon product, the Elizabeth Bag.

Shown  below, the purse is handmade in stunning Black deep-shine Italian patent calf leather,  and is also available in gold mirror and gold snakeskin options. Each bag will be signed by Elizabeth Hurley and carries its own unique number, making this the most desirable bag that Aspinal has ever created.

Aspinal of London and Elizabeth Hurley are pleased to donate £100 / $150 from each sale of Aspinal of London’s exclusive Elizabeth Hurley handbag to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in honor of the 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Retails for $445* USD

Buy the Elizabeth Hurley Bag Now >>

From the Apisnal website:

Help Raise £1, 000,000 One Million Pounds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

The Elizabeth Hurley Clutch bag is handmade in stunning Italian deep shine and gold snake leather exclusively crafted for Aspinal by a small Italian family tannery.

Each bag is labeled with a pink leather label and exclusively numbered so you know exactly which bag has been made for you. The inside is luxuriously lined in shimmering contrast grosgrain and comes with a gorgeous pink bijou hand mirror stamped with The Cancer Research Foundation logo and Elizabeth’s signature. The clutch is complete with a separate pocket for tickets and invites and detachable gold gilt chain making it the perfect practical and super stylish accessory.

A+ for Apisnal Breast Cancer Fundraising Efforts

In addition to sales of the Elizabeth Hurley Bag, Aspinal of London is also donating 10% to the Breast Cancer Campaign for every product purchased from their Pink Ribbon Page through July 2011! You can find a range of more affordable accessories and little pink luxuries ranging from $28 – $895 for pretty pink luggage seen below & more pink items are available in the store.

Breast Cancer Awareness Products from Aspinal of London. Click Here to Shop their Store >>

After the initial onslaught of pink products, many people tend to start blocking out the barrage of pink boxes & bags by about mid-October. That means that sales of pink ribbon products and breast cancer awareness merchandise starts slowing down in the second half of the month, which affects the total amount many manufacturers and retailers donate to breast cancer charities.

We’re in the home stretch of the 2010 October Breast Cancer Awarness Month, so there’s still time to shop and help raise money for the cause! Nearly 100 online stores below have breast cancer awareness product promotions going through October 31st**, with some of them going on longer and offering additional sales as well. Either way, don’t delay!

Breast Cancer Awareness Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

• $150 from each sale of Aspinal of London’s exclusive Elizabeth Hurley handbag will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

• Defeat Breast Cancer NOW! Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month at CafePress

• Breast Cancer Awareness at Zappos!

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For every Dansko Pink Ribbon Professional sold, $5 goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure
• Support the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade with Reebok Pink Ribbon footwear and apparel. Shop now and help find a cure!Now thru 10/31/2010 -
• Help support a cure with every bra you buy at BareNecessities.com.

• Wacoal Support the Girls Buy Wacoal Awareness or Embrace and $4.00 is donated by HerRoom and Wacoal to Susan G. Komen
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month Receive 20% OFF our Mastectomy Bra

• Pick Pink at eBags! Year-round we donate 10% of the retail sales price of any pink product to the Susan G. Komen Foundation
• ShoptheLook.net is donating 20% of the proceeds to Breast Cancer Research. Buy your Flirt Scarf today!

• Oohilove Breast Cancer Awareness auctions – all proceeds will be donated to the “Susan G Komen For the Cure” foundation.

• $10 Donation to Breast Cancer With Pair of Jeans at BlueBee.com
• Get $15 Off Jeans When You Donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Use Code BOOTY15 from 10/6 – 10/11

• 15% Off sitewide for Breast Cancer Awareness and 5% to charity. Use Code SUPPORT15A At SwimsuitsForAll.com

• REI Deal of the Week! Breast Cancer Awareness Special – Save on Pink Clothing & Gear!

• Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Joes NewBalance with free shipping on any LACE UP purchase with promo code JNBOLACEUP through 10/31

• Think Pink Costumes for the Cure Benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure

• Support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Shop Susan G. Komen Luggage- A donation is made with every purchase!

• Bagok.com Breast Cancer Awareness Promotion: Free shipping on orders over $50 with the code “BAGSOKBCA” , expire on Oct 31st, 2010.

• Click, shop and dontate. For the month of October a portion of your Natori.com purchase will go to breast cancer research.

• Shop Stella & Dot’s Pink Boutique. 20% of net proceeds go to breast cancer research.
• TriCity New Balance – Save 10% and get free shipping when you enter “cure” at checkoutSusan G. Komen New Balance Race for the Cure Shoes
• hop the following colors: Twirly Birds Pink, Loves Me…, Hope Garden and Pinwheel Pink and we will donate 10% of the net proceeds to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Health & Beauty, Cosmetics &  Skin Care Products

• Support the Cause at AVON’s Pink Ribbon Boutique – 100% of profits donated to the Crusade + Free Shipping Offer!
• Breast Cancer Beauty Products All Orders over $49 Receive Free Priority Shipping from Apothica.com

• Verseo BreastForms only $10 Code: aware Expires Nov 15, 2010
• In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month shop The Power of Pink Collection from the Conair Online Store.

• Support the cure! Purchase a Pink Mini Makeup Kit and e.l.f. will donate 50% of the proceeds towards Breast Cancer Research.
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month – 25% off The Strength Collection

• 100% of proceeds from sale of Mineral Lip Gloss in Princess Pageant go to fund breast cancer research. Shop Now!

• Stila Breast Cancer Awareness Think Pink Set ($62 Value) – $25

• Dermstore.com: Breast Cancer Awareness Offer for Month of October – Up to 100% of proceeds benefit breast cancer organizations
• E.L.F. Limitless Longwear Lip Gloss Benefitting Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Support a good cause today! Only $21. Ends 10/31.

• 10% off all GOSMiLE.com products in October by entering Oct10 at checkout

• Shop Beauty with a Cause at Sephora: Participating brands will donate a portion of the proceeds to organizations that help to raise awareness.
• Support Breast Cancer! Save 10% on products from the Pink Ribbon Boutique at MyPleasure.com (Adult Toy company)

Breast Cancer Awareness Jewelry – Pink Ribbon Pins & Bracelets

• Support the Fight Against Breast Cancer at MyJewelryBox.com

• Support Breast Cancer Research and Shop the Andrea Candela – Komen Collection at Ross-Simons plus get Free Shipping!
• Pink Ribbon Pins, Pendants & Breast Cancer Awareness Jewelry.Click here now to receive 10% off on your next order at Overstockjeweler add “Discount10″ at checkout. Coupon Code: Discount10

• Breast Cancer Watch

Breast Cancer  Inspirational Gifts & Collectibles

• Fight Breast Cancer at the Bradford Exchange- Show Your Support with these Collectibles and Gifts!

• Send the Pink Ribbon Bouquet from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM – Fight against Breast Cancer today!

• Breast Cancer Awareness items at Overstock.com – (Valid 10/01 to 10/31 @ 11:59 PM MST)

• 5% of all Pink Ribbon sales donated to Breast Cancer Research – Get Favors, Gifts, and more from Century Novelty

• Shop TaylorGifts.com. 10% of all proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Fund!
• 15% of the purchase price of Breast cancer items towards researchGiftsforYouNow

Breast Cancer Themed Wedding Favors & Party Gifts

• Give back on your big day! Donate to charity and gift your guests with Charity Favor Cards from The Knot Wedding Shop, all on sale now.

• Breast Cancer Donation Cards as Party Favors Save Now on Wedding Favors – Click Here
  

Pink Ribbon Stationary & Office Items

• Create Awareness everywhere you go with Pink Ribbon Checks, Labels, Note Pads and More!

• Support Breast Cancer Research & Cancer Survivors Everywhere! Shop for Personalized Pink Ribbon Address Stamps and Stationery.

• Support Breast Cancer Awareness and save 20% off any Century Novelty Pink Ribbon purchase with code THINKPINK through 10/31

• Support Breast Cancer Awareness with Office Depot at OfficeDepot.com!

• Get a beautiful Cross Sentiment Breast Cancer Awareness Pen. A percentage donated to the Susan G Komen Foundation.

• Get free address labels when you shop Snapfish Breast Cancer awareness. 30% off total order will be donated to breastcancer.org Exp1/1

• This October, GoDaddy.com will donate 10% of your order to breast cancer research and education! See website for details.

Pink Ribbon Food & Drinks

• In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, buy a 24 pack of JellyBelly Fruit Punch Sport Beans and get a FREE 10 Flavor Gift Box! Use Code: BCR
• Chocolate.com – Choose from 9 breast cancer awareness cookies & candy bars. Save 5% This fall at Chocolate.com Coupon cannot be combined with other offers. . Coupon Code: GANACHE

• 
• For every purchase of Organic Berry Wellness, we will give $1 to UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• 

Breast Cancer Awareness Home & Garden / Decor Items

• Shop Pink Items at shopKitchenAid.com! ShopKitchenAid.com. Free Ground Shipping on Orders over $99! Expires 10/31/10. Enter Code KTAPINK99.

• For each pink product sold at Pfaltzgraff 10% of the retail price is donated to Komen for the Cure. Help Pfaltzgraff Support the Cause!
• Get the Breast Cancer Watch by Guess, or KitchenAid Cook for the Cure & more on sale at Macys.com

• ChristmasCentral.com is proud to support Breast Cancer Awareness. During October, use Coupon Code: THINKPINK for an extra 10% off!

• Support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Shop Now At Cooking.com!

• Support the Fight Against Breast Cancer at Organize.com
• Pink Power Support Breast Cancer Research Bath GiftFortuneCookieSoap.com

• Show your support with pink ribbon gear from abcdistributing.com
• Hope Blossoms Bath Salts – Support Breast Cancer Reasearch

Pink Ribbon Medical Supplies, Nursing Scrubs & Uniforms

• Show Your Support for Breast Cancer Awareness with Scrubs from Scrubs & Beyond!
• MedEX Supply. BUY PINK & Help Support Breast Cancer Awareness! Take advantage of special promotions that raise awareness & support the cause!
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For every Dansko Pink Ribbon Professional sold, $5 goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure
  
• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Think Pink at UniformCity.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Sporting Goods & Equipment

• Go Biking for breast cancer! Women’s pink Terry bike seats add style to your ride.Click Here for FREE SHIPPING on all cycling apparel, parts and gear at Bike.com. Coupon Code: ABLKF
  
• Shop Pink” at Bowlingshirt.com and 10% will be donated to Breast Cancer research

Miscellaneous Breast Cancer Awareness Merchandise

• Shop All Things PINK for your dog at Muttropolis

• Cascio Interstate Music Will Pledge A 5% Donation For All Pink Musical Items Purchased From Now Through October 31st In Honor Of Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Get Your Pink Gear Here!
• Think Pink! Get Breast Cancer Supplies at Dollar Days

• THINK PINK! Show your support for the fight against breast cancer with pink ribbon items from lakeside.
• Show your support for finding a cure with Pink Ribbon items from LTD.

**Most companies only offer donations on sales made during the month of October, so that means that time is quickly running out to help support the cause. However, a select few extend their sales period into November, and sometimes (but even more rarely) beyond – the entire year.

EXPIRES 10/31/2010: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. $5 of every sale of the Dansko Professional in Pink Ribbon Patent goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure. Join the thousands of hospital workers, restaurant workers and teachers who alleviate the long hours on their feet with Dansko Clogs. Approved by the APMA for promoting healthy feet, Dansko is synonymous with long-standing comfort. ClogsCentral is your Dansko specialty store, carrying every style and color of Dansko and offer free shipping on every order.

During the month of October we are offering a customer appreciation discount code for 10% OFF EVERY ORDER! Just enter ‘ dansko10 ‘ during checkout!
SHOP NOW~

Available now at Overstock.com’s Breast Cancer Awareness Page – (Valid 10/01 to 10/31 @ 11:59 PM MST). Note that many of these are products from previous years’ promotions, and the manufacturers have likely already closed donations from the sales of these products; however, some of the breast cancer jewelry items in particular are great deals, and there’s a number of hard to find items in the store, so take a look – because they can make great gift ideas!

Overstock.com Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Products

Shop Now for Great deals on Breast Cancer Awareness Products – (Valid 10/01 to 10/31 @ 11:59 PM MST)

Beauty is more than skin deep – in this case, taking care of your skin is also going towards taking out breast cancer. With every Pink Clarisonic purchase, Clarisonic Skin Care Systems will make a donation to help women with cancer look and feel like themselves again. For 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Clarisonic Skin Care company is offering three options in its pink skin care line:

1) The Limited Edition PINK Clarisonic PLUS Sonic Skin Cleansing System – $250 :

Clarisonic Skin Care System for Breast Cancer Awareness

New! Introducing the Limited Edition PLUS designer model. This custom Clarisonic PLUS was developed in support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the millions of women battling breast cancer. Enjoy this beautiful new design and support a great cause. Look Great. Feel Even Better. Buy Pink Clarisonic skin cleansing system, donate to breast cancer research.

2) New! Clarisonic Mia™ Sonic Skin Cleansing System – $149

3)  $1 95 – Clarisonic Classic in PINK ! Engraves & Ships Free! The original waterproof 2-speed Sonic Skin Cleansing System that redefined skin cleansing for cleaner, healthier skin.

Clarisonic is honored to join you and the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the Fight for a Cure. 50% of the profits from sales of this Limited Edition Clarisonic PLUS go directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation

From the Clarisonic Skin Care company website:
Beyond skin care, we want to have a positive impact on the lives of women fighting cancer. Cancer can take so much from a woman. But it doesn’t have to take her self-confidence.

Look Good…Feel Better is a program that puts the power to be beautiful back into the hands of women battling cancer. Through group programs offered nationwide, trained cosmetologists teach women how to cope with treatment-related skin changes and hair loss so they can look and feel like themselves again.

Now you too can help. With the purchase of each “Hope is Beautiful” Skin Cleansing System you have the power to make a difference.

SHOP NOW:

Look Great. Feel Even Better. Buy Pink Clarisonic skin cleansing system, donate to breast cancer research. Engraves & Ships Free!

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to my friends @DempseyCenter (follow them on Twitter) in Lewiston, Maine – they’re raising money for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Hope & Healing at CMMC this weekend in the 2nd Annual Dempsey Challenge. I first wrote about my personal experience with the Dempsey Center, and Patrick’s amazing sister Mary Dempsey, who runs the center, back in September 2009, shortly after my father passed away from cancer.

Several major running shoe manufacturers have gotten behind all the fundraising events for breast cancer awareness and research organizations, and there are so many to get involved during the month of October! So what is better to wear on your feet during a running race or walk event than a pretty and comfortable pair of pink sneakers? Well, they aren’t all pink at least if that turns you off – but just enough to know they support the cause, especially since these sneakers donate a significant portion to breast cancer charities and sponsor many fundraising events across the country, such as the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure and the AVON Walks.

So, with today’s Pink Picks, just choose your preference for pink ribbon sneakers by manufacturer or online store:

1) New Balance Womens Walking Shoe Race for the Cure Collection – $109**

BUY NOW >>

2) New Balance Women’s Lace Up for Cure Slide – $59.95**

BUY NOW>>

**Annually, New Balance contributes 15% of wholesale sales from the Lace Up for the Cure® Apparel & Footwear Collection, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000 up to a maximum of $1 million, to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

3) Pink Ribbon Premier Road Supreme by Reebok – $99
SHOP NOW >>

Reebok will donate up to $750,000 through sales from its Pink Ribbon Collection

Also Support the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade with Reebok Pink Ribbon footwear and apparel. Shop now and help find a cure!

4) Skechers Women’s Shape Ups Breast Cancer Awareness Walking Shoe – $109 @Endless.com
BUY NOW >>

5) Lena Liu Breast Cancer Support Canvas Art Women’s Sneakers: Steps Toward A Cure – $49.95

BUY NOW >>

Maybe not the the best choice for a long breast cancer awareness walk, but still cute! Introducing the Lena Liu breast cancer support women’s shoes – fine canvas art sneakers available exclusively from The Bradford Exchange. You can stride in pride knowing that a portion of the proceeds from this artistic footwear will be donated to the fight against breast cancer.Beautiful images from renowned artist Lena Liu’s beloved paintings create an enchanting pink floral and butterfly pattern on the stitched canvas upper of these exclusive breast cancer support sneakers. Plus, they are gracefully accented with the uplifting messages of “”Love,”" “”Hope”" and “”Courage,”" and feature durable rubber soles and foam-cushioned footbeds for superior comfort. There is even a sculpted breast cancer awareness ribbon attached to the lace of each shoe. This delightful, enameled metal charm is studded with a pink simulated jewel for extra sparkle. Don’t miss your chance to walk with hope every single day.

To kick off the daily pink picks for October 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to start with a product that started it all (this website that is) – the breast cancer awareness bracelet. Of course you can always shop from our breast cancer bracelets guide, which has everything from rubber silicone wristbands with words of encouragement to diamond encrusted pink ribbon tennis bracelets. But this year, I’d like to start with a relatively new style, offered for just $2.00 that really can make a huge difference in raising funds for breast cancer research.

In 2009, Payless Shoe Stores unveiled their breast cancer charm bracelet somewhat late in the month of October, but this year, it’s available from the start, so buy one,  ten or twenty for your friends, and really make a difference, since at least $1.00 (1/2 of the purchase price) from each bracelet bought went to the Susan G. Komen foundation. To date, the
Payless Payless Charitable Cause Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet has raised over $3.6 Million for breast cancer research.

2010 Breast Cancer Charm Bracelet from Payless Shoes: Buy the Payless Payless Charitable Cause Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet now online at
Payless.com or in store.