So much is happening with the new season, weather changes, holidays, feasts, and time to reflect.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I've known many people who have been diagnosed with, treated and/or died from breast cancer, as I am sure many of you have.
This inspired me to find out more about the history of this special month.
October 1985 was the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM)
It set about to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer through mammography.
In the early 1990s, Charlotte Haley began making peach ribbons by hand. She passed out thousands of ribbons with a card that read: The National Cancer Institute annual budget is $1.8 billion, only 5 percent goes for cancer prevention. Help us wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon.
News spread of Haley's work, and Self Magazine asked to use the ribbon, but Haley declined, stating that it was too corporate. Self magazine persisted, the color was changed, and the pink ribbon was born.
The ribbon became the symbol of breast cancer consciousness, and the fight to find a cure.
In October of 1992, the cosmetics giant, Estée Lauder used the pink ribbon as a new symbol of hope and strength for those facing breast cancer.
Breast cancer organizations worldwide have created and trademarked their pink ribbons. Various shades of pink and color combinations represent the different types of breast cancer.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was established by Evelyn Lauder in 1993, to increase funding for research.
Evelyn, the daughter-in-law of Estée Lauder, was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer years earlier. She made it her life’s mission to rid the world of breast cancer.
The campaigns have grown with activities and fundraising events around the world. A recognition that this is a global problem, not just a local one.
In 2024, more than 360,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer! Yes, men are also affected by and get breast cancer.
There is hope with the advancements in early detection and treatment. When caught early, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%.
Sunday, October 18 is PINK day. Wear something pink to show your support for the movement to eradicate breast cancer.
We can make positive things happen if we work together.
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