Celebrating 20 years of art, education, and activism.
20 years ago, Shaney jo Darden started Keep A Breast after her friend, Margaret Kilgallen, passed away from breast cancer at a young age. The loss came as a total shock, as a 27-year-old Shaney jo had no idea young women could even get breast cancer. “Nobody was talking to me about my breast or my breast health: not at home, not at school, not even at the doctor’s office,” says Shaney jo about her experience back in 2000. “I felt that I should start talking about it with my peers because we were at risk!”
Because Kilgallen was a painter, Shaney jo put together a special art show that brought together the surfers, skaters, and clothing designers in their community. As a way to raise awareness and money at this exhibition, she created the first breast casts of her female friends - which happened to include RAEN Ambassador Kassia Meador. Now, two decades on, the breast casts have become an iconic symbol for the foundation and Breast Cancer Awareness Month around the world.
Keep A Breast and Shaney jo continue to educate men and women of all ages, from youth programs, to their “Check Yourself!” breast self-check cards, to the new Keep A Breast app. “It’s amazing to look back over the last 20 years - all the people, all the lives we’ve impacted, and all the places we’ve gone around the world. It’s just been an incredible ride!”
Buy Shades, Raise Awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we are proud to help elevate and support our friends at Keep A Breast. For every purchase you make from RAEN.com, we’ll donate $20 to the Keep A Breast Foundation. On top of that, we’ll give you a FREE limited-edition canvas tote ($20 value) when you spend $125 or more.
*One tote bag per customer. While supplies last. Limited quantities available. Subtotal must be over $125 after discounts.
