© 2024 UMass Amherst Foundation, All Rights Reserved
The mission of Protect Our Breasts is to share the conversation about chemicals in everyday products found on the grocery shelves that contribute to breast cancer; empowering women to make safer choices during one of the most vulnerable periods of our lives. We provide information on new scientific discoveries and on how to make safer choices now to prevent breast cancer in the future. We share with our peers online through our blog and social media and offline at our chapters' campus events.
One of the ways we find information on safer alternatives is by traveling to the Natural Products Expos (East and West) to meet the industry members who can see the future clearly and are committed to providing safer products. Attending Expo is critical to sustaining and building new relationships with industry leaders. These dedicated companies offer safer organic products to share with our network of college chapters. Our Science Advisory Board vets the products and the packaging so we can share them with our peers. This is how we steer clear of toxic chemicals so we can all see a safer future.
Alumni Industry Travelers include:
Protect Our Breasts Recent Alumni Travelers:
“Attending the Natural Products Expo with Protect Our Breasts was by far the most invaluable and eye opening experience of mine through my four years at UMass. I was given the opportunity to meet some of the most well-respected and influential leaders of the industry, and it drastically effected the way I look at the world and my long-term career goals. Being able to attend the event was not only a powerful individual experience, but an incredible team bonding experience that I will never forget.”
– Kristen Peters ’13 current: analyst, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. NYC
“Attending the Natural and Organic Expos has been one of the most important pieces of our mission. At Expo we meet the brands who are changing industry standards and have the ability to attend cutting edge educational sessions to bring the most relevant information back to our audience.”
– Emily Messier ’13 current: allocation analyst, TJX Corporation Boston
"The Natural Products Expo is an incredible collaboration of thousands of people who are working toward a common goal of improving our lives in the future. As a small organization, it can sometimes be overwhelming to be working with such a large issue but by gathering everyone together it proves how important being involved is. The momentum everyone gains from a conference like this is a driving force behind changing industry standards that will make the food we eat and the products we use safer in the years to come.“
– Emma-Lee Lagreze ‘13 current: analyst, PA Consulting Group Cambridge
“I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to be exposed to an industry of successful companies striving towards a safer marketplace. Attending EXPO made me realize that these organizations weren't just here to serve a niche community. They are the leaders of an evolving marketplace here to serve public health and ecological sustainability not just shareholders. With organizations like Protect Our Breasts developing more and more conscious consumers everyday, EXPOs like these are only going to grow. ”
– Riki Adams ‘14 current: Marketing Coordinator, Adamo Stone Design
“I am privileged to have life-long connections with people who continue to drive change, and passionately seed a safer tomorrow. I have been inspired to make healthy choices, and will continue to promote the importance of prevention for the rest of my life.”
– Alexis Bermingham ‘14 current: Assoc. Professional Affairs Mgr, Stryker
"Experiencing expo was a pivotal privilege that enhanced my passion for business and drive as a young women working to change the conversation around breast cancer - a feat greater than us all. Since POB began, Expo has never failed to foster ever-relevant education and opportunity that fuel the exponential growth of POB and its young leaders."
– Sydney Allison '13 current: Senior Associate, UM WW
Your gift will help us with general travel expenses and contribute to our future travels.
Your gift will contribute to half of the cost of a student’s field-study.
Your gift will cover the full cost of a student's field-study.
Your gift will significantly help send the next generation of leaders on their journey to expo.