Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025: Momentum and Meaningful Impact

November 21, 2025

October 2025 marked our biggest and most energizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) yet. It was a month of momentum and reminders that connection is our superpower.

Across 50+ fundraisers and outreach events, more people learned about ABCD’s free emotional support, more partners stepped forward to help us raise awareness and funds, and more communities saw firsthand what support looks like when it’s real, customized, and one-to-one.

Fundraising Highlights

October was filled with fundraisers powered by our many partners. From workouts and fashion shows to games, blood drives, and more, the response we saw from our community was nothing short of incredible. While there were countless memorable moments, here are just a few:

WISN 12 Day of Giving: With the extraordinary $25,000 match from Fields Land Rover Volvo of Waukesha & Madison and the generosity of WISN 12 viewers, ABCD raised $64,103. On-air coverage highlighted stories about our founder, Melodie Wilson Oldenburg, and the one-to-one connections that bring people like Beth Gramz and Megan Adams together.
Milwaukee Bucks Breast Cancer Awareness Night & Pink Retail Collection: Through one of our newest partnerships, we brought hundreds of supporters to the Bucks game where we tabled and took part in a live pre-game interview. The Bucks also launched a Breast Cancer Awareness Collection (it’s still available!) with a portion of the proceeds benefiting ABCD.
Catwalk for a Cause: The Institute of Beauty & Wellness hosted three empowering shows benefiting ABCD in Milwaukee, Madison, and — new this year — Chicago. As always, our Mentors lit up the runway.
- Milwaukee: Featured Mentors Reema Banerjee, Megan Brown, Sheena DeLong, Kathleen Duppler (with her daughter Liz), Mary Fassbender, Shironda Goree, Karen Hinkes, Keeshia Jones, Julie Matusiak, Monique Morris, Dawn Nimtz, Shannon Schultz, Linda Settler, and Jessica Storm (with her daughter Josslyn).
- Madison: Featured Mentors Kari Cataldo, Karen Kallerud, Veronica Manicki, Deborah Nies, Katie O’Brien, Jodi Rueth, Ellen Schroeder, and Jenny Swain.
- Chicago: Featured Mentors Deneitra Ham, Rachael Straus, and Sophia Williams.
Community Fitness Fundraisers: Pilates by Stacers, Mentor Kristen Huymaier, Orangetheory Fitness Mequon & Shorewood, and Wild Workouts & Wellness hosted movement-based events that energized and united supporters.
Versiti Giving Challenge: More than 250 supporters donated blood during our Giving Challenge with Versiti, resulting in many lives saved and a $7,484 donation to ABCD.

A heartfelt thank you to our BCAM 2025 fundraising partners:

9Round Mequon & Grafton, 554 & Co + Violet Blue Mercantile, Artery Ink, AZZ Galvanizing & Plating – Milwaukee, Beauty Milwaukee, Breakthru Beverage + WhistlePig Whiskey, Burnsie’s Bar & Grill, Charter Senior Living, Clarios, Enve Salon, Haven Salon & Spa, Held’s Meat Market, Hickory Park Senior Living, Institute of Beauty & Wellness – Milwaukee, Madison & Chicago, Jimmy’s Bar & Grill West Bend, Kesslers Diamonds, Kristen Huymaier, Lovely Salon & Spa, Mantel Orthodontics LLC, Mayfair Mall, Milwaukee Bucks, Neroli Salon & Spa, Orangetheory Fitness – Shorewood & Mequon, Panga Bar & Grill, Paper Machinery Corp, Pilates with Stacers, Pink Moon Bay Boutique, Revolution Brewing, Saz’s State House, Sculpting Sistas, University School of Milwaukee, Versiti Blood Centers, Washington Park High School – Poms Team & HOSA, Whitefish Bay High School Powder Puffs, Wild Workouts & Wellness, and WISN 12 + Fields Auto.

Outreach Event Highlights

BCAM 2025 also gave us opportunities to connect with people across Wisconsin and beyond to raise awareness about ABCD’s free emotional support services:

Sisters Network National Black Breast Cancer Summit: Our first year attending! It was an incredible chance to meet survivors, thrivers, advocates, and partners dedicated to addressing disparities, improving outcomes, and increasing access to support for Black women impacted by breast cancer. We’re also proud to work with Sisters Network Southeast Wisconsin Chapter locally.
Milwaukee VA Breast Health Awareness 2K Walk: We tabled at this annual hometown event and loved getting to spend time with Mentor Deanna Savage, who also attended.
LEAP Speaker Series with Cancer Fashionista Melissa Berry: Our October LEAP webinar was full of advice to reclaim beauty, confidence, and intimacy after breast cancer.
Sculpting Sistas Fit for the Fight: A first-time wellness event where we tabled with Mentor Dee Ham, and we’re grateful to Sculpting Sistas for their generous donation to ABCD.
Pin a Sister Event & Health Screening: We provided ABCD materials and attended this event at Community Baptist Church of Greater Milwaukee, where Nurses Affecting Change provided free clinical breast screenings.
Breaking the Silence: Gynecologic and Breast Cancer Awareness Lunch & Learn: We tabled at this lunch & learn and ABCD’s Keeshia Jones shared information during a panel session.
#LightUpMBC Live: Mentor Tonya Lueder shared her story from the Art Museum lit up in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) colors for this global broadcast that highlighted MBC thriver stories and raised money for research.
Mayfair Pink Bag Event: We tabled at this event where breast cancer patients, survivors, and thrivers received pink bags filled with special items.
Progressive Community Health Centers: Prevention With Purpose: Keeshia gave a presentation at this session that also included Melinda Stolley, PhD, from the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Women’s Health Symposium: Held at Shiloh Baptist Church here in Milwaukee, Keeshia spoke and shared ABCD resources with breast cancer survivors and community members.
Badges and Ribbons: A Courageous Conversation Regarding Breast Cancer Awareness: Hosted by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and featuring Sheriff Denita Ball, Keeshia was a guest speaker and shared information about ABCD. We also want to thank Sheriff Ball for making a donation to ABCD.
Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance Fall Medical Summit: This virtual summit about the state of male breast cancer included Keeshia presenting “The Role of Male Breast Cancer Mentors” and Leslie Waltke, PT, DPT, presenting “The Male Breast Cancer Rehab Plan: easing side effects, minimizing risks and getting strong again.” Dr. Waltke is a founding and current ABCD Board member.
Pickles Group “How to Talk to Kids About Cancer” Webinar: ABCD Mentor Monique Morris shared her experiences as a parent with breast cancer during this webinar organized by Pickles Group.
A Conversation with Pink Ribbon Warriors: Mentor Melodie Henderson moderated this panel at her alma mater, Hampton University in Hampton, VA.
Jammin’ 98.3 and 88.9 Radio Milwaukee: ABCD was featured in PSAs that aired throughout the month on these radio stations.

Our Work Continues

As we reflect on our impactful BCAM 2025, we’re filled with gratitude and fueled by the work still ahead.

BCAM may be over, but the need for our support continues every day. Thank you to our partners, donors, Mentors, and other supporters for helping ensure ABCD can show up for every person who needs us.