Susan G. Komen® Introduces The Komen Giving Tee™, the First Tap-to-Give T-Shirt That Turns Fashion Into Action Against Breast Cancer

Stella Jean-designed tee makes Fashion Week debut at Harlem’s Fashion Row Fashion & Style Awards

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Susan G. Komen^®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, today introduced The Komen Giving Tee™, the first of its kind, tap-to-give T-shirt that engages every wearer in Susan G. Komen’s urgent mission of ending deaths from breast cancer.

Created by Stella Jean, acclaimed designer and multi-cultural fashion bridge-builder, the tee debuted last night on the red carpet at Harlem's Fashion Row's (HFR) 19th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards during New York Fashion Week. Loren LoRosa, (@browngirlgrinding), Sr. News Producer at the nationally syndicated radio show, The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1 Instagram (@breakfastclubam), and also host of a daily pop culture podcast, The Latest with Loren LoRosa distributed by iHeart Media & Charlamagne Tha God's Black Effect Network, rocked the NFC-chipped shirt on the Red Carpet.

“I’ve worn and loved beautiful clothes from every major designer,” LoRosa said. “But I couldn’t be prouder to wear Stella Jean’s T-shirt for Susan G. Komen. If you hug me and tap my shoulder with your phone, you can help Komen help people with breast cancer. I am going for as many hugs as I can get.”

The Komen Giving Tee creates opportunities for all to engage – transforming a hug and a tap of a phone into a direct donation that will help save lives from breast cancer by funding breakthrough research, support services for patients and their families, public health programs and policy advocacy.

"Breast cancer is striking more young women, of every background, than ever before, and it's still taking Black women's lives at a higher rate than white women's,” said Amber Guild, incoming President and CEO of Susan G. Komen. “That's the urgent, unfinished fight this shirt is about. We've made real progress in detecting and treating this disease, but progress isn't the same as done. We need louder voices, urgent action and the generosity of people who refuse to accept that anyone should still be dying from breast cancer.”

Susan G. Komen Delivers Powerful Message: Don’t Fail the Girls™

The shirt’s Fashion Week debut marks the kick-off of Komen’s “Don't Fail the Girls” campaign. This powerful call-to-action appears on the tee above a hand-rendered Stella Jean drawing symbolizing women embracing and supporting each other.

“Together, we are an unstoppable force,” said Stella Jean. “And now is the time to come together, use our power to lift each other up and stop people from dying from this disease. I am honored to join Susan G. Komen, Harlem’s Fashion Row and Loren tonight and every night in the most important women’s health movement of our lifetime.”

The Komen Giving Tee is a wearable extension of Komen's Breast Honesty™ platform, which empowers people to have open conversations about breast health, understand their personal risk, prioritize recommended screenings, and push for timely, high-quality care for everyone.

Breast Cancer Is Not Over

In the U.S., approximately 324,580 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and 42,670 will die from it. Breast cancer can happen to anyone, at any age and is pervasive, affecting 1 in 8 women in the U.S. in their lifetime and rising in women under age 50. It also disproportionately impacts Black women, as they are more likely to be diagnosed young, face more aggressive forms of the disease, and die from it, compared to white women.

Komen Giving Tee Availability

The Komen Giving Tee will be available for $39 at https://www.harlemsfashionrow.com/dont-fail-the-girls. Learn more about the T-shirt and support Komen’s mission at https://www.komen.org/givingtee. Proceeds from sales help fund Komen's lifesaving research, policy advocacy, support services for patients and their families, public health programs and policy advocacy.

The debut appearance capped the arrivals segment of HFR's 19th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards on Sept. 8 at The Glasshouse in New York City.

About Harlem's Fashion Row

Harlem's Fashion Row's Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards brings together an influential mix of fashion, beauty, entertainment, media, art and business leaders. Now in its 19th year, the event helps kick off New York Fashion Week and continues HFR's legacy of advancing designers of color and creating greater access and visibility within the fashion industry.

About Stella Jean

Stella Jean is a Roman-born designer “with an Italian father and a Haitian mother.” She built her career using fashion as a megaphone for multiculturalism and inclusion; her designs have been worn by Beyoncé, Rihanna and Zendaya and thousands of women who love the way Stella Jean’s designs make them feel.

About Susan G. Komen®

Susan G. Komen® is the world’s leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working toward a future where no one dies from breast cancer. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/.