Breast Cancer

You have probably read many times in a hurry on some young girl’s T-shirt or on a small sticker on a store window “The best protection is early detection” and right beside the informative message you’ve seen a small pink ribbon. From a young girl with curly hair and blue eyes to a tired woman hurrying up to get in time to work or even an old man spending his day fishing, they all have in common the possibility of being affected by cancer. Breast cancer does not discriminate. And as you may already know, that small pink ribbon is an international symbol for breast cancer awareness and is most widely used to express support for those diagnosed with breast cancer. No matter of age or social status, whether the patient is a woman or a man, the person who wears the breast cancer pink ribbon is thought to express solidarity for the sufferers of breast cancer worldwide.

The pink ribbon was used for the first time in the year 1991 when the Susan G. Komen Foundation gave out pink ribbons to those who have participated in a race for breast cancer survivors. In the following years the pink ribbon was used more and more, but there were also a few supporters of this cause, among whom worth mentioning is Charlotte Hayley, who used a peach colored ribbon to express the message that although The National Cancer Institute has a significant annual budget, they only use about 5 percent for cancer prevention. After discussing more on this subject, Hayley considered changing the color of the ribbon, and so reverting to the original form of the breast cancer symbol – that being a pink ribbon. Since then, the international symbol for breast cancer awareness remained the traditional pink ribbon that we nowadays see so often.

The real purpose of this symbol is raising awareness among people regarding the dangers of breast cancer, but producing pink ribbons, bracelets or other products like Christmas ornaments, necklaces and stickers on a large scale, has also the purpose of raising funds for breast cancer research and treatments for those in need. There are many foundations that have as a logo the pink ribbon and they all have common goals. Also this foundations very often offer support not only in a material form by giving financial help or offering free examinations and treatments, but also try to organize support groups for getting informed and understanding better what changes are going to occur to their bodies. From the moment you have been diagnosed, your whole life is going to change and take an unexpected turn, but with help and support from these foundations you will receive the guidance you require to go through everything that this disease might send your way.

Next time you see a pink ribbon, think about all the persons suffering from this disease and the things they are passing through, and at least consider donating the smallest amount you can afford or find in your pockets. Every effort makes a difference!