The Keep A Breast Foundation (KAB) concluded its 25th anniversary year with a historic return to Vans Warped Tour in Orlando, coinciding with the music festival's 30th anniversary celebration. This final weekend marked the culmination of a quarter-century partnership between two organizations that have grown together while maintaining their shared mission of reaching people through music, education, and community engagement.
KAB Founder Shaney jo Darden emphasized the profound significance of Vans Warped Tour in the organization's development, stating that the festival shaped KAB's identity as a bold and innovative breast health education provider. The partnership, which began in 1998, has become foundational to how KAB approaches its mission, creating what Darden describes as a home where like-minded individuals connect around shared humanity and health concerns.
The evolution of KAB's presence at Warped Tour reflects the organization's growth from the iconic "i love boobies!" awareness campaign to comprehensive breast health education programs. Vans Warped Tour Founder Kevin Lyman explained his philosophy of integrating nonprofit organizations through what he calls "osmosis rather than preaching," where social good initiatives become woven into the festival experience rather than presented as separate educational programming.
Lyman's approach has proven remarkably effective, with his estimate that even 10% engagement from the 40,000 attendees translates to 4,000 people returning to their communities with new perspectives on health and social responsibility. This methodology has allowed organizations like KAB to reach young audiences in authentic, meaningful ways while maintaining the festival's energetic atmosphere.
At the Orlando event, KAB offered interactive educational experiences and distributed resources on breast self-examination and early detection. Festival attendees could engage with the organization's mission through various activities, including the opportunity to win a custom "i love boobies!" electric guitar from Schecter Guitar Research and purchase limited edition 25th anniversary commemorative items.
The commemorative apparel and accessories, designed by renowned contemporary artist and activist Shepard Fairey, represent KAB's continued commitment to unconventional outreach through art, music, and education. Proceeds from these sales directly fund KAB's programming, supporting the organization's work with the breast cancer community and young people worldwide. The partnership demonstrates how integrating health education into cultural events can create lasting impact while maintaining the authentic spirit of both the festival and the nonprofit's mission.
