Symbols for Breast Cancer Awareness
The most widely recognized symbol for breast cancer awareness is the pink ribbon. Ribbons have been used to express affinity with a cause since the early 20th century. According to the official website for the pink ribbon, it is now known in 30 countries in five continents. There are other lesser-known symbols that are derived from the pink ribbon. One is the breast cancer survivor's symbol. The other is the co-survivor's ribbon.
First Use of Pink Ribbon
According to PinkRibbon.org, pink ribbons were first linked with breast cancer on June 16, 1990. That day, the Susan G. Komen Foundation held its annual Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C. Organizers handed out pink ribbons and pink visors to some of the 8,500 walkers. A year later, the foundation distributed pink ribbons to every walker in the New York City Race for the Cure.
Continued Use of Pink Ribbon
The association between the pink ribbon and breast cancer became widespread in 1992, when Self magazine used the pink ribbon in its October issue recognizing National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The publication helped bring the pink ribbon to national attention, and the breast cancer awareness movement started to grow. In October 1997, the website pinkribbon.com was launched. It was a place dedicated to raising awareness and funding for breast cancer.
International Spread of Pink Ribbon
The pink ribbon became known on a worldwide scale due to the efforts of Dutch enterpreneur Walter Scheffrahn. In 1997, Scheffrahn dedicated 10 percent of his company's capacity to an effort to expand the pink ribbon symbol globally, on behalf of his sister who had breast cancer. He introduced the idea of a five-pronged campaign for international breast cancer awareness, based on advocacy, alliances, alignment, accreditation and awareness.
Criticism of Pink Ribbon
Some organizations are critical of the pink ribbon. The group Breast Cancer Action of San Francisco, Calif., sponsors an annual "Think Before You Pink" campaign. It urges supporters not to buy into the hundreds of pink ribbon products and promotions that are marketed every October for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast Cancer Action wants to know where the money goes from the sale of these products, and which of these products, such as cars and cosmetics, contain ingredients that contribute to cancer.
Survivor's Symbol
A breast cancer survivor named Teddy Pastras invented the survivor's symbol on November 11, 2002, the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The symbol is a pink sword slicing through the letters B and C. Pastras says the sword symbolizes the fight to win the battle over breast cancer.
Pastras is now cancer-free. She estimates her symbol is worn as a lapel pin by more than 50,000 women around the world.
Co-Survivor's Symbol
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure has come up with a co-survivor ribbon for family, friends, health care providers or colleagues who have lent support to those with breast cancer, from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. The co-survivor ribbon is a pink and white ribbon that recognizes the relationship between breast cancer patients and their co-survivors.
Tags: breast cancer, pink ribbon, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness, Cancer Awareness, co-survivor ribbon, pink ribbon
