Pink Ribbon – The Universal Symbol For Breast Cancer Awareness
In 1993, the October after Avon’s launch, Este Lauder introduced a heart-shaped compact with an enameled pink ribbon design, profits to go to its Breast Cancer Research Fund. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation began offering a pink rhinestone brooch. Carolee Jewelry designed another one—a female runner in midstride, flowing loop ribbon in hand. Nightshirts, angel statuettes, teddy bears, sports clothes, credit cards, Daytimers all hit the market and, with increasing speed, other companies joined in, each offering its own version of the traditional ribbon.
Between 1991 and 1996, federal funding for breast cancer research increased nearly fourfold to over $550 million. And according to the American Cancer Society, the percentage of women getting annual mammograms and clinical breast exams has more than doubled over the last decade.
The ribbon stands for awareness. And it stands for the sisterhood that will help women survive - and conquer- this disease.
Sources of information:
Reprinted from MAMM, June/July 1998
2005, Think Before You Pink. a project of Breast Cancer Action
2002 PinkRibbon.com
www.komen.org
