The Keep A Breast Foundation and Invisible Children have been nonprofit BFF’s for years. It was a relationship galvanized on Warped Tour that (uncommon to other bonds people form on the summer festival which we love so dearly) has actually been beneficial and long-lasting.
The Keep A Breast Foundation™ is the leading youth-focused, global, nonprofit breast cancer organization. Their mission is to eradicate breast cancer for future generations. They provide support programs for young people impacted by cancer and educate people about prevention, early detection, and cancer-causing toxins in our everyday environment.
We asked Shaney Jo Darden, Founder/Global CEO of The Keep A Breast Foundation, to answer some quick questions about her organization and their partnership with Invisible Children for this summer’s Fourth Estate Summit.
When was the moment that Keep A Breast went from being just an idea to being a full-on organization? What were the motivating factors? And what led to the start of Non-Toxic Revolution?
When I decided to leave my great, full-time job as a denim designer for Sole Technology (etnies, Emerica, Altamont) and work full-time without a paycheck on Keep A Breast was when things got real and KAB became a full-on nonprofit organization. I had saved up just enough money to live for one year without an income, and let me say it was rough! However, I knew that if I could really focus on what my heart was telling me to do, I could make it work and eventually afford to pay myself and grow the organization to be able to hire others who could help to fulfill our mission of cancer prevention. It had become clear that Keep A Breast was more than an art project; it was a movement that was organically spreading and gaining support because the information was so valued and needed for young people.
We started the Non-Toxic Revolution program when I had started to research the environmental links to cancer. I was surprised at the amount of toxins we are exposed to in our everyday life! I read every study I could find but unfortunately most of them were written by scientists using words I didn’t know. The information was really tough to understand and left me frustrated. Not knowing how to take the facts and make changes in my own life, I decided that it was our job to help get his information to young people, and we did! NTR makes this dense, scientific data easy to read, easy to understand, fun, cool, and most importantly, it empowers young people to become activists and to bring the information into their own lives, families, and communities so that they can live a healthy, cancer-free life for years to come!
Both Invisible Children and Keep A Breast speak to such a young audience. What is it about this generation that inspires the pursuit of purpose-driven lives?
In this generation, much like every other generation that has come before now, there are activists – those that are passionate about change and people that are willing to dedicate their lives to something they believe in. I think the generation of young people today has more tools and resources than I did to make social change and philanthropic efforts more successful and widespread. I’m 40 years old so when I was a teenager I had a lemonade stand in my neighborhood and donated the money to the local animal shelter. We didn’t have the internet, cellphones, Twitter, instagram etc…at that time the extent of my reach was my hand-painted sign and everyone driving down my street that could see it. Times have changed in such a short period of time and it’s so awesome to see young people so passionate about giving back!
Can you tell our supporters about what your Awareness Team does and one story of success from those efforts?
The A Team is a grassroots street team that uses social networks to spread the word about KAB’s mission, programs, and initiatives. Powered by word-of-mouth marketing technology Fancorps. The A Team turns awareness into action! Team members share KAB information with friends, family, and neighbors online as well as at the coffee shop, in school, at work, and anywhere awareness is needed. The A Team relies on member participation to brainstorm new activities, create forums, and develop new ideas for the A Team and Keep A Breast. The biggest success was their ability to help us place top 10 of the Chase Giving Awards and win $10,000!
What is the future of Keep A Breast and Non-Toxic Revolution and how does that fit with the ideology behind The Fourth Estate?
I believe that there is no being at the top, there is no winner, and it’s not a competition. My life is about service and following my heart to make this world a better place. I want to do that with friends and have fun and smile along the way. KAB, NTR and The Fourth Estate is all about the greater good, uplifting individuals, our communities and our spirits.
Sharing ideas and sharing the wealth. No one wins alone, we all win together.
What’s the biggest thing your organization is hoping to learn or take away from The Fourth Estate Summit?
Keep A Breast and NTR are honored to have been asked to be included in The Fourth Estate this year. We look up to and admire all the other organizations involved. Honestly my goal is to be there to educate and give as much as we can to the attendees. My team and I will be there with open minds and hearts and are excited to learn from others and the experience.
Can you give us a hint as to what you will be doing at the Common Good Exchange?
The core of Keep A Breast lies in our face-to-face educational component of our “traveling education booth.” It’s so important and vital for us to have opportunities to interact and educate young people face-to-face.
Attendees of the Common Good Exchange will have the opportunity to participate in our real-time photo booth as well as engage in some of our NON TOXIC DIY activities.
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