October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while no one doubts the worthiness of the cause -- breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world after lung cancer -- the proclamations of generosity by some companies are definitely suspect.

Here's a random roundup of things pink and how much of their proceeds reaches charities. They may surprise you -- in more ways than one.

T-shirts -- and then some

The Estée Lauder Co. established the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign back in 1992, and Evelyn Lauder founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation a year later. To date, the foundation has raised $220 million, and this month, $35 million will be awarded to approximately 165 researchers across the world.

Lauder has again teamed up with fashion brand Splendid along with other brands because, well, every little bit helps.

This tank top is available at most department stores, and costs $42. Of that, $5 goes to the cause.

Here's one solution . . .

Bausch & Lomb has commissioned 40 pink Swarovski Elements contact lens cases, each with 646 hand-applied crystals, worth about $350 -- to be given away in an online lottery.

To enter, go to ReNuCares.com and download a coupon for ReNu MultiPlus contact lens solution.

No purchase necessary to win, but if you do use the coupon, Bausch & Lomb will donate $1 for every coupon redeemed. The company says those sales will allow it to donate at least $300,000 to charity. Contest ends Oct. 31.

Obvious support

Wacoal wants you to purchase this underwire bra from its Embrace Lace collection, available at select Nordstrom, Dillards and Macy's stores. From its $46 price tag, Wacoal will donate $2 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

That's about four percent.

Say a prayer

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Group Publishing has released Tickled Pink: Prayer Devotions, with five lessons to ``inspire new hope and joy.''

Along with the devotional guide, which quotes Scripture and recommends activities, the kit includes a pink spinning top, pink feather, pink clay, pink umbrella and a pink fan.

Cost: $7.99.

Amount donated to charity: 10% of the October sales go to the Susan Komen Foundation

Sleep for a cause

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel has pink sheets in certain guest rooms this month as part of its charity efforts. Rates in October are $189 to $349 per night, with 25 percent of the room rate benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The shirt off your back

Custo Barcelona has come out with 1,000 T-shirts for the awareness campaign, with model Cindy Taylor promoting it. Available at Custo Barcelona in Bal Harbour Shops and other stores, the shirt costs $65.

Proceeds donated to charity: 100 percent.

-- KATHRYN WEXLER

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@